OKW Lovers Thread. Part 2

[Linda67]

While the regular location is closed, the Suitcase has temporarily moved to the outside patio of Olivia's Cafe.

Thanks, this is good news

Does anyone know when Gurgling Suitcase is due to re-open? (approx.)

 

[Duffy Lover]

Thanks, this is good news

Does anyone know when Gurgling Suitcase is due to re-open? (approx.)

It opened yesterday... There is a Facebook page "Friends of the Gurgling Suitcase at Disney's Old Key West Resort" and various people have posted pictures and such...

Now if I can just see pictures of the pool (post mini-rehab)....

 

[jndmommy]

Hi fellow OKW lovers!

Its been 4 years since we stayed at OKW... We are going back this August. I remember reading about the main pool being re-done at some point. Just wondering if any noticable changes were made to the pool. Thanks in advance.

 

[Pylegirl]

Hi OKW lovers! We will be going to WDW for the 1st time in June 2015. We are a family of 6 and 2 bedroom villa is a must. I have heard and read all the reviews on hotels but I think OKW is the best choice for us. We have a DS 6 who had OCD, he likes things quiet and needs a place to come back to that is not as congested as the parks themselves. Another DVC member actually recommended we look at OKW and rent points. Thoughts from those that love it best???

 

[Nanajo1]

We own at both BWVs and OKW. When we want a more laid back vacation we book OKW. It has several Community pools that usually not very crowded. Bus service IMO is very good. The boat to DTD is very relaxing. The walkways are very flat great for bike riding. I think you will enjoy it.

 

[Noelle]

Hi OKW lovers! We will be going to WDW for the 1st time in June 2015. We are a family of 6 and 2 bedroom villa is a must. I have heard and read all the reviews on hotels but I think OKW is the best choice for us. We have a DS 6 who had OCD, he likes things quiet and needs a place to come back to that is not as congested as the parks themselves. Another DVC member actually recommended we look at OKW and rent points. Thoughts from those that love it best???

We love OKW. The rooms are larger than other DVC rooms so the extra space is nice to be able to spread out more. As the previous post says, the boat to DTD is very relaxing. We also love sitting on the balcony and watching the golfers or the waterways.

 

[Pylegirl]

We own at both BWVs and OKW. When we want a more laid back vacation we book OKW. It has several Community pools that usually not very crowded. Bus service IMO is very good. The boat to DTD is very relaxing. The walkways are very flat great for bike riding. I think you will enjoy it.

.

Navajo And Noelle THANK YOU!!! We just keep hearing more and more than lends itself to say this is the right choice for us. The reasons others aren't as fond if it might be the icing on the cake for us....laid back, spread our, quiet, large rooms, etc. I didn't even know DTD existed and had to look it up. Sounds like more shopping the girls were love and food for the boys

 

[tpsh007]

Hi OKW lovers! We will be going to WDW for the 1st time in June 2015. We are a family of 6 and 2 bedroom villa is a must. I have heard and read all the reviews on hotels but I think OKW is the best choice for us. We have a DS 6 who had OCD, he likes things quiet and needs a place to come back to that is not as congested as the parks themselves. Another DVC member actually recommended we look at OKW and rent points. Thoughts from those that love it best???

I think OKW is great. We went there for the first time recently (points rental).
We have stayed at BWV and AKV-Kidani(Savanna view) before, all 1-bedroom.
I personally rank OKW higher than both BWV and AKV based on my own stays.
We always rent a car, so parking near the building is great to have. Beautiful landscaping and overall theme, lots of trees, great pool and slide. The rooms are big, bright and cheery, especially the living room and balcony.

Personally, I prefer the second floor even though there are no elevators.
Also, I suggest you try to ask for a room "near Hospitality House" during points rental if being near the main pool is important. Our building was away from the main pool, which was a little inconvenient. On the other hand, it was very near to a smaller pool (turtle shack) with a playground and video game room, and that place was always private and quiet.

PS: while we rented points, another option is to wait for the 30% or 35% off room-only discount on certain periods from the Disney website. For OKW, it is often around the same price, not a lot higher than a points rental.

 

[staceymay00]

.

The reasons others aren't as fond if it might be the icing on the cake for us....laid back, spread our, quiet, large rooms, etc. I didn't even know DTD existed and had to look it up.

OKW certainly has its fans, but the fact that it is not one of the more popular resorts in the middle of the action is something we happen to like about OKW. The resort seems less crowded because people staying at other resorts are not visiting in large numbers for a popular restaurant, etc. Even though there is not a park within walking distance, OKW is centrally located on Disney property. We drive to WDW and love the convenience of parking our car in front of our building. We usually drive to the parks, although bus service from OKW has always been pretty good when we've used it. The boat ride to DTD is nice.

We've also stayed at AKV Kidani and BWV and liked both. Kidani was peaceful, standard view villas are about the same points as OKW, but AKV is not as centrally located on Disney property as OKW. BWV was great for walking to EP and DHS, but was not the peaceful reprieve from the parks that we found OKW and Kidani to be.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[famgel]

Thank you for great info going to try to book jan visit for grand villa but as a backup do u know if any of the buildings have 2 br next to studios or 1 bedroom? This is not my home resort, SSR is, so I can't do till June. Just not sure what the demand is going to be for first or second week in. January. Thank u again!!,

 

[dianeschlicht]

Thank you for great info going to try to book jan visit for grand villa but as a backup do u know if any of the buildings have 2 br next to studios or 1 bedroom? This is not my home resort, SSR is, so I can't do till June. Just not sure what the demand is going to be for first or second week in. January. Thank u again!!,

Are you asking because you need both a GV and a studio or 1 bedroom? All GV buildings also have studios and 1 bedrooms in them. If you are thinking you need a 2 bedroom near or connecting to a studio or 1 bedroom, that's different. No studios or 1 bedrooms connect to GVs, but they could be in the same building.

 

[famgel]

My 1 st plan is to get GV at OKW but just in case that doesn't work the backup plan would be to get a 2 br plus a studio/one br villa. I don't have the points to get a GV at SSR and want to try OKW anyway but would like villas to be connecting or next to each other. Planning first grand child's trip so would like all of us to be close to each other. With an infant I would rather they had their own room or unit. Sorry for confusion.

 

[Nanajo1]

If you end up with the 2br plus studio/1br tell MS that there are two ressies that are in the travel plan so they will place the villas near each other.

 

[famgel]

Ok great thank you!

 

[MOM POPPINS]

What room request can we make to better our chances of getting buildings 62, 63 and 64?

Thanks in advance. We have not stayed in OKW in awhile and looking forward to our visit there!

 

[jndmommy]

I apologize, I am assuming this was probably asked many pages earlier. However, I want to request the section that is the first or second bus stop when going out to the parks. Any help would be so appreciated. Thank you

 

[chalee94]

What room request can we make to better our chances of getting buildings 62, 63 and 64?

those buildings (the only ones with elevators) are typically reserved for those with medical issues.

if you are concerned about stairs, it's best to request a 1st floor villa.

 

[Chuck S]

I apologize, I am assuming this was probably asked many pages earlier. However, I want to request the section that is the first or second bus stop when going out to the parks. Any help would be so appreciated. Thank you

The first bus stop would be Peninsular Road, most of those nearby units (Bldg 23 to 26) are in the Near Hospitality House booking category. If you are not booked into that category, chances are unlikely you would get one of those buildings.

The second stop is South Point, the very back of the resort, buildings numbers in the 50s.

 

[mickey&minniealways]

Most buses will stop at the hospitality house upon entering and leaving the resort. Thinking along those lines you might want to consider one of the last two stops as they would bring you back to the begining of the loop quicker.

 

[Pylegirl]

Where is the best place to find photos of OKW?