OKW Lovers Thread. Part 2

[dredick]

I just booked OKW for the 1st time! We are going June 8-11. A short trip to celebrate my DS high school graduation. We have a 1 bedroom villa. There will be 5 of us this trip. We have two 17 yo graduates, and our 15 yo. I'm kinda nervous. We have never even peaked at OKW before. I had ASMu family suite booked, but with the 30% off room deal I was able to switch to OKW for the same cost. I thought, why not!! Now I'm overwhelmed with the size and research! I'm a gotta know everything girl! I'm hoping all rooms are updated and we are not too far from being able to refill a mug. Any advice would be great! Thanks in advance!

 

[Chuck S]

I just booked OKW for the 1st time! We are going June 8-11. A short trip to celebrate my DS high school graduation. We have a 1 bedroom villa. There will be 5 of us this trip. We have two 17 yo graduates, and our 15 yo. I'm kinda nervous. We have never even peaked at OKW before. I had ASMu family suite booked, but with the 30% off room deal I was able to switch to OKW for the same cost. I thought, why not!! Now I'm overwhelmed with the size and research! I'm a gotta know everything girl! I'm hoping all rooms are updated and we are not too far from being able to refill a mug. Any advice would be great! Thanks in advance!

The mugs can refill at the snack bar near the main pool or the Turtle Shack at the Old Turtle Pond Road community pool. You'll have two people in the King size bed in the master suite, two on the queen sized foldaway couch in the living room and one on the foldaway single sleeper chair also in the living room. OKW was built in phases, and there was a minor design change. buildings 11 to 29 have one entrance to the bathroom, through the master bedroom. Buildings 30 and above have two entrances, one through the master bedroom and one through the Laundry Room. Assuming you want two entrances and fairly close to a refill station, I'd suggest a building on Old Turtle Pond Rd. But if you want to be close to the other amenities as well, you'll probably need to forfeit that second bathroom entrance.

My personal favorite area is near the Old Turtle Pond bus stop, bldgs 30 to 35. About 1/4 of a mile walk to the main check-in, or you can hop on any bus to get to main check-in. TO bet back to Turtle Pond, you can walk across the bridge and catch any bus at the Peninsular Road bus stop. Though it may be faster to walk it. There is also a return (internal) bus from the main check-in area, but it is also on the route to downtown Disney, so it can be quite a long wait for the internal bus. All buildings were rehabbed a few years ago.

 

[dredick]

The mugs can refill at the snack bar near the main pool or the Turtle Shack at the Old Turtle Pond Road community pool. You'll have two people in the King size bed in the master suite, two on the queen sized foldaway couch in the living room and one on the foldaway single sleeper chair also in the living room. OKW was built in phases, and there was a minor design change. buildings 11 to 29 have one entrance to the bathroom, through the master bedroom. Buildings 30 and above have two entrances, one through the master bedroom and one through the Laundry Room. Assuming you want two entrances and fairly close to a refill station, I'd suggest a building on Old Turtle Pond Rd. But if you want to be close to the other amenities as well, you'll probably need to forfeit that second bathroom entrance.

My personal favorite area is near the Old Turtle Pond bus stop, bldgs 30 to 35. About 1/4 of a mile walk to the main check-in, or you can hop on any bus to get to main check-in. TO bet back to Turtle Pond, you can walk across the bridge and catch any bus at the Peninsular Road bus stop. Though it may be faster to walk it. There is also a return (internal) bus from the main check-in area, but it is also on the route to downtown Disney, so it can be quite a long wait for the internal bus. All buildings were rehabbed a few years ago.

Thanks so much for the info! How do I request a building? I booked through Disney w/ cash. Not DVC. Old Turtle Pond sounds great. I would rather the two entrances to the bathroom since we are bringing a friend. If it was just family it wouldn't matter.

 

[Koh1977]

How are the buses to get to the parks? Is there a separate internal bus and park bus? Would it be easier just to drive to the parks?

 

[carlbarry]

How are the buses to get to the parks? Is there a separate internal bus and park bus? Would it be easier just to drive to the parks?

If you have a car, and because you're staying on property there will be no parking fee, I'd say definitely drive. It took me, for example, 10 minutes to drive to the MK parking lot from OKW. No way are you doing that by bus.
Plus, when you leave the park, you don't have to wait for a bus, nor do you have to worry about a crowded bus.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you have a car, and because you're staying on property there will be no parking fee, I'd say definitely drive. It took me, for example, 10 minutes to drive to the MK parking lot from OKW. No way are you doing that by bus.
Plus, when you leave the park, you don't have to wait for a bus, nor do you have to worry about a crowded bus.

But then you have to take the tram to the TTC and then a boat or monorail to the MK. The bus from OKW goes right to the MK. Once you leave OKW, it's eight minutes to the MK. We might drive to Epcot, AK and DHS from OKW, but we always take the bus to the MK.

I just booked OKW for the 1st time! We are going June 8-11. A short trip to celebrate my DS high school graduation. We have a 1 bedroom villa. There will be 5 of us this trip. We have two 17 yo graduates, and our 15 yo. I'm kinda nervous. We have never even peaked at OKW before. I had ASMu family suite booked, but with the 30% off room deal I was able to switch to OKW for the same cost. I thought, why not!! Now I'm overwhelmed with the size and research! I'm a gotta know everything girl! I'm hoping all rooms are updated and we are not too far from being able to refill a mug. Any advice would be great! Thanks in advance!

Refillable mugs don't work that well at most of the DVC resorts because the refill stations are far apart. At OKW there are only two locations to refill, Goods to Go by the themed pool and the Turtle Shack at the Old Turtle Pond pool. And the Turtle Shack is only open seasonally.

What you are going to like about OKW is the large porch to sit on (with a table that has four chairs - you can dine out there). The rooms were all renovated about four years ago and since then they replaced the bedspreads with triple sheeting.

You can take any bus to the Hospitality House where the themed pool is located as well as Goods to Go (small counter service location) and Olivia's (table service restaurant). And the resort store. And you can walk over to the Peninsular Road bus stop (right across the bridge from the HH area) and take a bus back to your location if you choose not to walk back. It's about a 10-12 minute walk to the furthest location from the HH area. Or catch the Internal Bus (also DTD/Typhoon Lagoon bus) which stops first and last at the HH. The normal bus route is Peninsular Road, South Point, Turtle Pond, Millers Road and Hospitality House.

You'll have a full sized washer and dryer at OKW (not stackables like the other DVC villas), a full sized kitchen and plenty of room to store your favorite beverages in the full sized refrigerator. Since you booked directly from Disney, you'll get daily full cleaning. If for some reason the housekeepers don't come, just call Housekeeping and remind them you are a cash reservation that gets daily full cleaning.

 

[Saltywardog]

It's only quiet until one of those errant golf balls hits the side or window of a building, then it sounds like a small explosion. Startles the heck out of you.

There was a few times I stood up in my chair and backed towards the door, never had one hit like it sounds you did. I enjoyed it cause i was laughing at them, most of them watched me laugh too.

 

[Pirate Granny]

We love the golf club view...and always ask for top floor (they are two or three stories), and only three buildings have elevators...rest you walk up...unless you plan to have pool time the refillable mugs aren't too much of a value add. Those are the only two places to fill them up at...and as previously stated turtle creek is not guaranteed to have that refill station open.

 

[dredick]

One more question...for now . Has anyone ordered a specialty cake and had it waiting for you in your room or picked up at Olivia's? i know Boardwalk Bakery services OKW. We would like to have a cake for my DS graduation. TIA

 

[Pirate Granny]

We've only had a specialty cake ordered for a BD but at a restaurant (Chef Mickie's). It was pricey $50, and yea it had his name on it, but really not worth the extra money. A normal cake that they can provide by asking with no name is $15 cheaper. But hey, they only graduate from HS once!

I love OKW, but alas we save our points there for a grand villa every three years...

 

[leholcomb]

Hello all!

Check in is about 6 weeks away! My first time at OKW and also renting DVC points. After speaking with my travel consultant, I found out that the members points that were rented are not for Hospitality House. I am running the Princess Half and want to be near by. Of course I will send a request directly to be placed near HH but was looking for advice on Online Check-In requests. Let's say my HH request is not granted, where would be my best bet to be within walking distance of HH? Just by looking at the map I would say Peninsular Road Area and Near Transportation. However, I would like expert opinions.

Thank you!
Lauren

 

[Pirate Granny]

Your request for HH will not be granted as that is a very specific booking catagories. However I believe Bldgs 27-28 and 29 are pretty close, and/or 15-16 and the three 60's bldg, but those have elevators and they try to keep them for person who have physicals needs.

I've been in bldg 22 and 37, and while definately not close to HH was only a ten minute walk in the beautiful Sunshine. And yes, I would walk right past the bus stops

 

[Deb & Bill]

One more question...for now . Has anyone ordered a specialty cake and had it waiting for you in your room or picked up at Olivia's? i know Boardwalk Bakery services OKW. We would like to have a cake for my DS graduation. TIA

A cake won't be waiting in your villa when you arrive. Until you move into it, they won't put anything in it unless it needs to be assigned to another guest. Have you considered getting a cake from Publix? I've gotten some wonderful cakes from there for a lot less money than the Cake Line at Disney. And it tasted a lot better, too. The one I had delivered to 1900 Park Faire a few years ago was very pretty but was dry and tasteless. And it cost $50.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Your request for HH will not be granted as that is a very specific booking catagories. However I believe Bldgs 27-28 and 29 are pretty close, and/or 15-16 and the three 60's bldg, but those have elevators and they try to keep them for person who have physicals needs.

I've been in bldg 22 and 37, and while definately not close to HH was only a ten minute walk in the beautiful Sunshine. And yes, I would walk right past the bus stops

15 and 16 are pretty close to the HH area. If OKW is a host hotel, make sure you catch the bus at the Hospitality House. The race buses do not make the bus route at OKW, just stop at HH.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Your request for HH will not be granted as that is a very specific booking catagories. However I believe Bldgs 27-28 and 29 are pretty close,

I'd agree with 28, 15, and 16, and also add 17 as close. I have back issues and walking is pretty difficult for me, so when I say they're pretty close so that even I can walk there, they're close!

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

A cake won't be waiting in your villa when you arrive. Until you move into it, they won't put anything in it unless it needs to be assigned to another guest. Have you considered getting a cake from Publix? I've gotten some wonderful cakes from there for a lot less money than the Cake Line at Disney. And it tasted a lot better, too. The one I had delivered to 1900 Park Faire a few years ago was very pretty but was dry and tasteless. And it cost $50.

LOL
Definitely an example of "Stopped drinking the Kool-Aid"

dry - tasteless AND 50 dollar! but it has all that pixies dust

 

[dredick]

A cake won't be waiting in your villa when you arrive. Until you move into it, they won't put anything in it unless it needs to be assigned to another guest. Have you considered getting a cake from Publix? I've gotten some wonderful cakes from there for a lot less money than the Cake Line at Disney. And it tasted a lot better, too. The one I had delivered to 1900 Park Faire a few years ago was very pretty but was dry and tasteless. And it cost $50.

Well, I don't drink kool-aid, but I have had only amazing experiences with custom cakes at disney. Our latest one is my profile picture and was $35. Delicious! I will probably call boardwalk bakery, since they service OKW and pick it up at Olivia's. Thanks for the help.

 

[TinkFan74]

I have 15 nights booked at OKW from July 6-21 to celebrate my birthday. It will be myself, my DD age 17 and her friend, so a studio suits us just fine. We currently have a studio booked near the HH, but I am wondering if this is really the best option for us as I am very much looking for a quiet and peaceful break from reality. We will have a rental car, so buses will not be a concern for us. We also do not need to be close to the restaurants as we are vegan and the food choices are limited to non-existent at OKW (I will go to Whole Foods and stock up). I guess my question is this, do I need to be near the HH, or should I request a studio in a more isolated area? Any advice would be appreciated, thanks.

 

[Chuck S]

I have 15 nights booked at OKW from July 6-21 to celebrate my birthday. It will be myself, my DD age 17 and her friend, so a studio suits us just fine. We currently have a studio booked near the HH, but I am wondering if this is really the best option for us as I am very much looking for a quiet and peaceful break from reality. We will have a rental car, so buses will not be a concern for us. We also do not need to be close to the restaurants as we are vegan and the food choices are limited to non-existent at OKW (I will go to Whole Foods and stock up). I guess my question is this, do I need to be near the HH, or should I request a studio in a more isolated area? Any advice would be appreciated, thanks.

My favorite areas, actually, are away from the HH area. Since you plan on doing most of your own meals, there is no real reason for you to be in the area, unless you want to be near the feature pool and slide.

I like bldgs 30 to 35 myself, close to the bus stop, as I don't usually drive to the parks. If I'm in a studio, for laundry, I either walk to the Turtle Pond pool area or just throw stuff in the car and drive to the Turtle Pond pool area, if I have more than a couple of loads to tote.

 

[TinkFan74]

My favorite areas, actually, are away from the HH area. Since you plan on doing most of your own meals, there is no real reason for you to be in the area, unless you want to be near the feature pool and slide.

I like bldgs 30 to 35 myself, close to the bus stop, as I don't usually drive to the parks. If I'm in a studio, for laundry, I either walk to the Turtle Pond pool area or just throw stuff in the car and drive to the Turtle Pond pool area, if I have more than a couple of loads to tote.

Thanks, I will make that request.