OKW Lovers Thread. Part 2

[Chuck S]

Forgive me if this is a repetitive question, but we're booked for October of this year. Being a short walk to the main pool and Goods Foods To Go is ideal for us (family of 6 with kids ranging from 2-10 yrs). I ideally would like to request the HH area - but i'm booked through Disney and not an owner. Is that an impossibility?

What other areas are pretty close? Can I request a specific building? (I realize requests are just that...a request not a guarantee). Also, do I have a hope in the world of getting what I request if i'm checking in on a Friday evening??

Thanks -

You can try to request it through Disney with a cash reservation, but it will be a request. With DVC it is a booking category. Being that you are checking-in on Friday evening, I think you'll have a better than average chance to get your request, as Friday is a big check-out day for DVCers, since points requirements are higher on weekends.

With such as request listed, you may not get an actual building in the Near Hospitality booking category, but there are several other buildings that are close-by, like 28 and 29, 15 and 16, 62 to 64, though the 60s buildings are often held for those with mobility issues as they are the only buildings with elevators.

 

[Meldev]

You can try to request it through Disney with a cash reservation, but it will be a request. With DVC it is a booking category. Being that you are checking-in on Friday evening, I think you'll have a better than average chance to get your request, as Friday is a big check-out day for DVCers, since points requirements are higher on weekends.

With such as request listed, you may not get an actual building in the Near Hospitality booking category, but there are several other buildings that are close-by, like 28 and 29, 15 and 16, 62 to 64, though the 60s buildings are often held for those with mobility issues as they are the only buildings with elevators.

Thank you! One more question, can you also try to request ground floor? (as we'll have at least one double stroller, possibly a second single stroller as well)

 

[Dee77]

Do the Grand Villa's have a second entrance door on the upstairs level?

 

[Deb & Bill]

Do the Grand Villa's have a second entrance door on the upstairs level?

No. You have to take the stairs up to the second floor. So if you have someone who can't do stairs they have to either take the master or sleep in the living room.

 

[Dee77]

No. You have to take the stairs up to the second floor. So if you have someone who can't do stairs they have to either take the master or sleep in the living room.

Thanks for the quick reply. Another member (parent from my DD's school) said there were but maybe they were thinking of a different resort.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thanks for the quick reply. Another member (parent from my DD's school) said there were but maybe they were thinking of a different resort.

I think Kidani Village or BLT might have a second floor access from the hallway. But I'm not sure.

 

[lorenni]

Just arrived yesterday for our first stay at OKW. A few quick comments:

1. Online check in had no line, but regular check in did. Of course, the people in front of me wanted the CM to perform some minor miracle with their magic bands, so I was the next person in line for 20 mites while the entire regular check in line cycled through. :/

2. Had booked HH and requested only ground floor and we're in bldg 25 on the ground floor. Great location! Super close to HH but no parking it's to walk through - though even in or little cup-de-sac it's disappointing that there are no sidewalks to get from building to building - seems very much designed for cars and not pedestrians. Or maybe I just didn't see the sidewalk last night!

3. DH, toddler DS and I are in a studio. It's a terrific size for our small family. But EVERYTHING I read on here about noise from the attached one bedroom suite is true. We can hear every single word spoken in their living room. And any minute now we'll be unintentionally paying them back for their noisy midnight return from the parks when my 2 year old wakes up! I put a towel at the bottom of the door but it doesn't help at all. I did not hear a single neighbor ( and we did have neighbors) at AKL last fall, but we were in a dedicated 2 bed then. So I guess the moral of the story is to stick to resorts with dedicated studios, etc if the noise possibility bothers you. I will write in to member satisfaction with this comment though. I don't have this issue at the Westin or Comfort inn - why should we have it here?

4. Olivia's! Love it. Ran in for an unplanned dinner after canceling at the coral reef due to impending toddler meltdown. (One Microwave Mac and cheese later his cheery disposition was restored and we ventured out again.) the staff was fantastic, as was the food. I order the Cobb salad and asked about gluten (I have celiac) and they went overboard being helpful. Brought me whole grain GF rolls with olive oil for dipping. Brought stickers to amuse the tiny person. Terrific mixed drinks. And all 20% off with the TIW card. Three thumbs up overall and a great end to a very busy arrival day.

And he's up! Sorry neighbors...

 

[Chuck S]

Yes, the lack of fully connecting sidewalks is strange, but it is the way OKW has always been. Olivia's is a real gem of a restaurant, as you said great staff, and great food...they do have an occasional "off" day like all Disney eateries, but with Olivia's it is rare.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Forgive me if this is a repetitive question, but we're booked for October of this year. Being a short walk to the main pool and Goods Foods To Go is ideal for us (family of 6 with kids ranging from 2-10 yrs). I ideally would like to request the HH area - but i'm booked through Disney and not an owner. Is that an impossibility?

What other areas are pretty close? Can I request a specific building? (I realize requests are just that...a request not a guarantee). Also, do I have a hope in the world of getting what I request if i'm checking in on a Friday evening??

Thanks -

I had a cash reservation in December for a 1BR and requested near HH, first floor. We checked in on a Friday around 2:00. We got first floor but building 56. Room was not ready when we checked in so it wasnt that they gave us what was ready. I didnt ask if they had anything closer. We had a quiet pool right next to us so we used that. Never did use main pool. Used Goods to Go once and found the service very slow. One day we walked to Downtown Disney as the path was right by our building. It was hot so we took the boat back and took a bus back to our building.

I loved the room at OKW and would stay there again but not sure it would be my first choice. We do own DVC at BWV but didn't have enough points for this last trip. We also had a cash reservation for a studio at BLT for 3 nights in Dec. I really loved that but it was just my DD & I so the small room wasn't a problem. I found the OKW room to be a great value for size and amenities given the price vs other Disney resorts. Last summer my family of 5 did 1 week cash at Kidani 1BR and 1 week points at BWV 2BR. So far Kidani has been my favorite.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I think the lack of sidewalks connecting the villas is because of the golf course. There are sidewalks along the main roadways, just not within each of the sections (except for a few). So if you are walking to an adjacent villa, you might be walking on the parking lot. But the sidewalks cross the roads all over the place so you can walk from one area to the other and stay on a sidewalk.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

We just got home today from our stay at OKW and had a wonderful experience there. We arrived on Tuesday, 12/31, at 2:00 (which is what I had put on my online check-in) and our room was ready and all my requests were met. We were in a Studio, and got Turtle Pond area, first floor, just as requested. We were in room 3516; Building 35 is one of the U-shaped buildings, so our studio was kind of in the corner and there was another unit on either side of us. We heard a few thumps and bumps from the room above us, nothing from the non-connected room. The connected room had a baby and we did hear him/her cry periodically, but nothing that kept us up or really bothered us.

The room was in good order - everything was there and operational and seemed in good condition. The trash/towel day was right on schedule and we had a knock from housekeeping this morning about 8:00 asking approximately what time we would be leaving.

The location of the room seemed pretty centrally located. It was too cool for pool usage so we didn't venture down towards the Turtle Pond pool area at all. We were directly across the street from the bus-stop and we used the buses every day except one, when we were going to Studios and then on to Ft Wilderness for the Hoop Dee Doo Revue. Compared to our usual resort of choice, CSR, the bus route was laborious with all the twists and turns. Most of the time it was OK and we didn't mind. Last night after Wishes, by the time my kids and I made it out the front gate and were almost to the bus depot, an OKW bus was pulling up and we made it on easily. I was very pleased!

The staff was very helpful. My husband came down with a bad cough (that we actually know now is the flu ) and I drove to HH to see if I could get some cough medicine. The store was already closed, but a manager went into the store, got some, and came back with it, filled out a form for me to sign for it to be charged to my room today. I was very grateful. I wish I could call OKW directly and let them know about his illness so they could deep-clean the room and try to keep anyone else from getting it.

We liked the room at OKW and would definitely return if the opportunity came up. Thanks for the great information in this thread!

 

[Leleluvsdis]

We just got home today from our stay at OKW and had a wonderful experience there. We arrived on Tuesday, 12/31, at 2:00 (which is what I had put on my online check-in) and our room was ready and all my requests were met. We were in a Studio, and got Turtle Pond area, first floor, just as requested. We were in room 3516; Building 35 is one of the U-shaped buildings, so our studio was kind of in the corner and there was another unit on either side of us. We heard a few thumps and bumps from the room above us, nothing from the non-connected room. The connected room had a baby and we did hear him/her cry periodically, but nothing that kept us up or really bothered us.

The room was in good order - everything was there and operational and seemed in good condition. The trash/towel day was right on schedule and we had a knock from housekeeping this morning about 8:00 asking approximately what time we would be leaving.

The location of the room seemed pretty centrally located. It was too cool for pool usage so we didn't venture down towards the Turtle Pond pool area at all. We were directly across the street from the bus-stop and we used the buses every day except one, when we were going to Studios and then on to Ft Wilderness for the Hoop Dee Doo Revue. Compared to our usual resort of choice, CSR, the bus route was laborious with all the twists and turns. Most of the time it was OK and we didn't mind. Last night after Wishes, by the time my kids and I made it out the front gate and were almost to the bus depot, an OKW bus was pulling up and we made it on easily. I was very pleased!

The staff was very helpful. My husband came down with a bad cough (that we actually know now is the flu ) and I drove to HH to see if I could get some cough medicine. The store was already closed, but a manager went into the store, got some, and came back with it, filled out a form for me to sign for it to be charged to my room today. I was very grateful. I wish I could call OKW directly and let them know about his illness so they could deep-clean the room and try to keep anyone else from getting it.

We liked the room at OKW and would definitely return if the opportunity came up. Thanks for the great information in this thread!

Glad you have a great trip, but sorry DH got the flu. I believe you can call directly. I know I did when we stayed there last time, but I don't remember how. Maybe try the main reservation number and request to be transferred.

 

[dylan0317]

Here is my question: We are staying in a 2 bedroom on DVC points from June 14-19 then paying cash June 19-20. Will they come and clean our room on the 19th and 20th?

 

[Chuck S]

Here is my question: We are staying in a 2 bedroom on DVC points from June 14-19 then paying cash June 19-20. Will they come and clean our room on the 19th and 20th?

From your post, I am assuming it is one night on cash, with your check-out day being the 20th.

Are you staying on a membership discounted cash stay booked through DVC Member Services, or a cash stay booked through the regular Disney reservation system.

If through Member Services, the cleaning schedule should merge with your point stay, so no cleaning until checkout. Though they do get their days messed up sometimes.

If you booked through the regular Disney reservation system (like with an AP discount) then you would get full cleaning on the 19th and then a full cleaning on the 20th after you check-out.

 

[baw]

We are staying at OKW for the first time next month. Are there patios or balconies attached to all of the studio rooms? That is one amenity I love about the deluxe resorts. Do I need to request a particular floor to get a balcony (a la the Poly, where there are no balconies on the 2nd floor rooms)?
Thanks!

 

[OKW Lover]

We are staying at OKW for the first time next month. Are there patios or balconies attached to all of the studio rooms? That is one amenity I love about the deluxe resorts. Do I need to request a particular floor to get a balcony (a la the Poly, where there are no balconies on the 2nd floor rooms)?
Thanks!

All OKW studios have balconies - well, the ground floor has a patio - so don't worry about requesting a particular floor.

 

[baw]

thanks for the quick reply! and do i understand correctly that the buildings have no elevators? we have an older member of our party and i'm worried about her having to go up and down stairs multiple times a day.

 

[Chuck S]

We are staying at OKW for the first time next month. Are there patios or balconies attached to all of the studio rooms? That is one amenity I love about the deluxe resorts. Do I need to request a particular floor to get a balcony (a la the Poly, where there are no balconies on the 2nd floor rooms)?
Thanks!

Every room at OKW has a balcony. They are small, some have better views than others because of shrubbery. I hope the weather is nice enough for you to enjoy your morning coffee on the balcony

 

[Chuck S]

thanks for the quick reply! and do i understand correctly that the buildings have no elevators? we have an older member of our party and i'm worried about her having to go up and down stairs multiple times a day.

True, only Buildings 62, 63 and 64 have elevators. Elevators were not required by the Americans with Disabilities act during most of the construction of OKW. The stairs at OKW are well designed. There is a gentle rise to them, there is a half flight, then a landing, and then another half flight up to the second floor, and also between the 2nd and 3rd floors.

 

[baw]

good to know, thanks. i suppose i can request a building with an elevator. a little off topic here, but when i tried to do online check in, i was prompted to link my credit card to my magic band. i wasn't given the choice to opt out. in the past, we've not been required to link the cc to the keys to the world card....is this now a required thing?