OKW: little kids and no car

[nonzerosum]

We are considering renting points for OKW, but are a bit concerned about the proximity of OKW to magic kingdom--we have young kids. We recently stayed at the Poly and loved being able to get back for mid day naps. Is this unrealistic at OKW? Would this eat up huge amounts of time? How long is the average commute by bus? According to the Unofficial Guide, there isn't much of a difference between having a car and using the Disney transport system. Is this your experience?

 

[disneynutz]

We are considering renting points for OKW, but are a bit concerned about the proximity of OKW to magic kingdom--we have young kids. We recently stayed at the Poly and loved being able to get back for mid day naps. Is this unrealistic at OKW? Would this eat up huge amounts of time? How long is the average commute by bus? According to the Unofficial Guide, there isn't much of a difference between having a car and using the Disney transport system. Is this your experience?

Get a car. You never need to wait for a bus and you can used it to buy groceries that will save you a lot of money. We got a intermediate for 8 days, $150 including all fees.

 

[Reginak]

We have stayed at the Poly on one trip with a three yo and at SSR for two trips with 3, 5, 7 and 8 yo. They were both great and I don't remember a the busses being any more difficult than the monorail. In fact, on one of the trips we had our car and it stayed in the parking lot the entire trip; and the busses were the three yo girl's favorite ride at WDW.

If you want groceries then have them delivered or rent a car for one day.

Don't worry, you'll have fun.

Regina

 

[iluveeyore]

With little ones, definitely use the WDW transportation. We took our friends to a 2bdrm at OKW last July when it was busy, and their little guy needed mid-day naps. They loved the relaxed feel of OKW, and loved the transportation. OKW is central to all parks, and I don't think we were on the bus for more than 10-15 min. to anywhere. Also, the bus to OKW only goes to that resort, so it's never packed, especially at mid-day when it's pretty much empty. If you rent a car to take to the parks, you will be way out in a parking lot waiting for either a tram or a ferry to take you to the parks. On WDW transportation, you are taken right up near the front gate of all parks. With little ones, this is wonderful. We went back to OKW every afternoon for lunch (rented a car one day for huge load of groceries!), a swim and nap time or game time outside on the patio table. You'll love it there! Have a great trip!

 

[Saratoga Souris]

For some things, a car is certainly and advantage but for OKW to the MK.... no!

If you were to drive from OKW to the MK, you would have to park your car and take a tram to the TTC. From the TTC, you must take the ferry or the monorail to the gates of the MK.
From OKW... the bus will drop you off at the gates of the MK. If you choose OKW, the car is not an advantage for visits to the MK.

Getting back to OKW will not be as convenient as getting back to the Poly but I don't think you will find it too be much trouble or much more time. I just returned from an OKW stay with a 6 year old. We went back to OKW everyday for a swim and nap... loved it!

 

[Deb & Bill]

One thing you might not be aware of at OKW. There are only three buildings that have elevators and they are usually reserved for guests with accessibility issues. If you have a stroller or two or lots of items to take to your room, you'll be carrying those up stairs unless you are on the first floor.

When we stay at OKW, we always take the bus to MK. We always take the bus to AK if we are going for EMH in the morning.

 

[nonzerosum]

Deb & Bill: Thanks for the heads up about lack of elevators. Can you request ground floor? I guess I can always start my workouts now. We stayed ground floor at the Poly and loved being able to walk right out of our patio door onto the grounds. Our kids loved having some place to play outside just 4 steps from our room. Is OKW similar, or do you walk out onto sidewalks or something not so lush?

 

[Boas]

to answer your intial question.... we have been going for several years and the never take the car.

we drive to the hotel, and that is were is stays the entire trip.

i am very impressed with the bus system, there are lots of them, and when my kids took naps, we too went back to the hotel mid day (especially in the summer).

enjoy your vacation

 

[rigsby25]

we drive to the hotel, and that is were is stays the entire trip.

That's us. My husband wants to have a car, but we take the busses. It is really easy to catch a bus and take a nice relaxing ride to OKW. No trams, no walking through the lot. Almost door to door service in a way.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Deb & Bill: Thanks for the heads up about lack of elevators. Can you request ground floor? I guess I can always start my workouts now. We stayed ground floor at the Poly and loved being able to walk right out of our patio door onto the grounds. Our kids loved having some place to play outside just 4 steps from our room. Is OKW similar, or do you walk out onto sidewalks or something not so lush?

At OKW, the first floor patios are fenced just like the upper floors. Very different from the Polynesian. I remember we had a first floor studio once, and we played with the bunnies and ducks that came up to the edge of the patio. They also have shrubbery around the patio areas.

You should be able to request a ground floor, but it's isn't guaranteed.

 

[MinnieGi]

You may also want to look at SSR since you will need an elevator is you are not on the ground floor. SSR is just down the road from OKW. Also if you are on the first floor at SSR the kids can go out and play on the patio and grass beyond.

 

[mickey&minniealways]

Ground floor rooms and elevator accesable rooms go to peopl with mobility issues first, people with young children next, and then everyone else. It sounds like you come under the second category so you should be fine. Getting near the HH is harder.