OKW Location Question

[Figaro]

We are going to be at a handicapped accessible studio with a roll-in shower in November right before Thanksgiving. Never having stayed at OKW before, I would like a room that is close to the first bus stop so that there is no problem loading the wheelchair because the bus is already full, but I react to the diesel fumes from the buses, so I would like a room not near a bus turn-around. Any suggestions of what to ask for would be much appreciated!

 

[dmoore22]

I would not worry about the bus being full. When we've stayed at OKW we were pleasantly surprised at how we felt like we had the bus to ourselves--and that was during the peak season.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Originally posted by Figaro
We are going to be at a handicapped accessible studio with a roll-in shower in November right before Thanksgiving. Never having stayed at OKW before, I would like a room that is close to the first bus stop so that there is no problem loading the wheelchair because the bus is already full, but I react to the diesel fumes from the buses, so I would like a room not near a bus turn-around. Any suggestions of what to ask for would be much appreciated!

The only studio I know of that might meet those (actually the only HA studio I know of!) is #2316. It's not too far at all from the first bus stop, first set of buildings after you go over the bridge past HH. The villa is set far back from the road, so I would guess it would be fairly quiet and non-diesel smelly. We were in it for about 5 minutes, just long enough to see it seemed to have a really nice view of the golf course, but since we needed a tub, we asked to move. Not sure it was the best move-the view from our next room wasn't as nice!

 

[dianeschlicht]

The problem with being near HH is that it IS the LAST stop, so in the morning, the bus will be crowded. I have used a scooter the last couple of trips. We stayed in building 64 (last bus stop) and building 29 (second bus stop). I have to agree that it really does not matter which building you are in or which bus stop you are at. Handicapers load first, and we never had trouble getting on. The buildings that have HA units are in buildings 12, 20, 21, 23, 26, 27, 28, 34, 47, 48, and 50. I also would not worry about bus fumes, since all the units face away from the street, and even when we have been in the buildings where buses turn around, we have never had a problem with fumes or noise. I would reccomend being near South Point, because the bus is usually quite empty at that stop. It is the middle bus stop, so lots of folks have already exited on their way in, and the bulk have not yet gotten on for the trip out.

 

[JudithM]

Hi Figaro! I usually request first floor or elevator building at OKW for medical reasons. THe last three trips I have been in an elevator building (62, 63 & 64). My closest bus stop is the Hospitality House. It is the last bus stop to the parks, but I only had to wait for a second bus to a park once. Tthe driver told me his ramp did not work. He called for another bus & the second bus driver came tot he HH first. I like that I got off at the last bus stop when we returned late at night. This way many guests didn't have to move so I could get out. Have fun!

 

[Figaro]

Thanks for the information, everyone! Since the hassle we had with the buses at the Boardwalk a few years ago, I try to always stay at resorts that either have only one stop (no sharing) or at the first stop if the resorts share or there are multiple stops at the resorts. We drive most of the time to the parks, but going to the Magic Kingdom it is just easier to take the bus in the morning.

Thanks again!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Originally posted by Figaro
Thanks for the information, everyone! Since the hassle we had with the buses at the Boardwalk a few years ago, I try to always stay at resorts that either have only one stop (no sharing) or at the first stop if the resorts share or there are multiple stops at the resorts. We drive most of the time to the parks, but going to the Magic Kingdom it is just easier to take the bus in the morning.

Thanks again!

You will find that from OKW, the buses will be faster than driving to most parks with the exception of Animal Kingdom. Buses are so good at OKW and not shared with another resort, so crowding isn't a problem in the mornings, but if you leave the park right at closing, there will be a crunch then.

 

[SueM in MN]

We also have not had much trouble with getting buses. When we couldn't get on, it was usually because of mechanical problems with the lift, rather than because it was too full.
We have stayed in Building 23 before. It's a nice location. We've also been in most of the building right around 23 and also in all of the 60's buildings.

 

[rpink58]

Figaro,
If there is someone sitting in a spot reseved for the wheel chairs the drivers will ask them to move. So that part of the problem is no problem.

 

[Figaro]

Hi, rpink58!

Bus drivers are not allowed to make people sitting in those seats move and if the people don't want to move, they don't have to. Someone who works for transportation at WDW wrote a post somewhere here on the boards about what happens if the bus has people on it and of course I don't remember WHERE it was now...I hate getting old somedays(smile).

I just don't like the hassle and I don't like people who are sitting being asked to vacate those seats. Which is why we drive to all of the parks except the Magic Kingdom. Heck, sometimes we just drive to Epcot and take the monorail to the Magic Kingdom just to avoid any problems(smile). Most people are wonderful, but the very few who aren't can really be nasty and I just don't want to deal with that on vacation.

Found the post about buses and wheelchairs!

http://tinyurl.com/2lsn5