OKW Lovers Thread. Part 2

[punkin413]

Subbing to this thread! Me, my hubby and our 5yo son are staying at OKW in a studio Sept. 26-Oct 3 next year. Can't wait! We are currently booked at AKV but will change at 7 months. Any advice is welcome!

I've read that I need to inform the person I'm buying DVC points from that I want to request to be close to the Hospitality House when they book, yes?

Really the only concern I have with the resort is the fact that the QS doesn't have indoor seating (in case of bad weather). So any thoughts on that would be appreciated.

I've heard a little negative feedback about the bus system there but we will have our car so that's not a huge concern for us. Other than that, no worries.....so excited!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Subbing to this thread! Me, my hubby and our 5yo son are staying at OKW in a studio Sept. 26-Oct 3 next year. Can't wait! We are currently booked at AKV but will change at 7 months. Any advice is welcome!

I've read that I need to inform the person I'm buying DVC points from that I want to request to be close to the Hospitality House when they book, yes?

Really the only concern I have with the resort is the fact that the QS doesn't have indoor seating (in case of bad weather). So any thoughts on that would be appreciated.

I've heard a little negative feedback about the bus system there but we will have our car so that's not a huge concern for us. Other than that, no worries.....so excited!

You are not really buying DVC points. You are purchasing a reservation from a member who uses their points to make the reservation. Ask the member you booked with if they can change your reservation at seven months out. They may or may not do this. Usually when you "rent points" there are no changes or cancellations.

HHarea usually gets booked up in the seven to eleven month time frame, so it might not be available at seven months out. There are only eight buildings in that category.

Buses have never been a problem for us in our many stays at OKW.

Goods to Go only has picnic tables outside near the pool for eating what you bought. It's a very small counter service, nothing like a food court.

 

[punkin413]

You are not really buying DVC points. You are purchasing a reservation from a member who uses their points to make the reservation. Ask the member you booked with if they can change your reservation at seven months out. They may or may not do this. Usually when you "rent points" there are no changes or cancellations.

HHarea usually gets booked up in the seven to eleven month time frame, so it might not be available at seven months out. There are only eight buildings in that category.

Buses have never been a problem for us in our many stays at OKW.

Goods to Go only has picnic tables outside near the pool for eating what you bought. It's a very small counter service, nothing like a food court.

Sorry I didn't use the right terminology. I call it "buying" b/c it just makes more sense in my head since once I get the points, no one gets them back!

This is our 3rd time "renting" points so we are well aware of the policies and have a clear understanding with the DVC members we are working with.

Thanks for your feedback.

 

[Leleluvsdis]

Subbing to this thread! Me, my hubby and our 5yo son are staying at OKW in a studio Sept. 26-Oct 3 next year. Can't wait! We are currently booked at AKV but will change at 7 months. Any advice is welcome!

I've read that I need to inform the person I'm buying DVC points from that I want to request to be close to the Hospitality House when they book, yes?

Really the only concern I have with the resort is the fact that the QS doesn't have indoor seating (in case of bad weather). So any thoughts on that would be appreciated.

I've heard a little negative feedback about the bus system there but we will have our car so that's not a huge concern for us. Other than that, no worries.....so excited!

If you can't get a room in HH, I recommend building 45/46. It looks like it is really far away, but it is really only a 5ish minute walk to the HH. We encountered the rain issue when wanting to eat CS when we were there, and they boxed everything up, and we took it back to our condo. If you are at the HH, there is an internal bus that stops at HH first and last, so you would be 2 stops away from your room in 45/46 building. You could also walk it about as fast as you could wait on a bus, but if it is raining, waiting would be my choice

We didn't have issues with buses when we were there 3 years ago. My only complaint was how long it took to get to the parks; however, that was not an issue with the buses, but where the resort is within property.

Also, if you plan to go to DTD, make sure you take the boat. WAAAAAYYYYYY faster than the bus

 

[Disney_Mama]

We are just waiting on ROFR..... Fingers crossed and we will own some magic at OKW.

 

[punkin413]

If you can't get a room in HH, I recommend building 45/46. It looks like it is really far away, but it is really only a 5ish minute walk to the HH. We encountered the rain issue when wanting to eat CS when we were there, and they boxed everything up, and we took it back to our condo. If you are at the HH, there is an internal bus that stops at HH first and last, so you would be 2 stops away from your room in 45/46 building. You could also walk it about as fast as you could wait on a bus, but if it is raining, waiting would be my choice

We didn't have issues with buses when we were there 3 years ago. My only complaint was how long it took to get to the parks; however, that was not an issue with the buses, but where the resort is within property.

Also, if you plan to go to DTD, make sure you take the boat. WAAAAAYYYYYY faster than the bus

Thanks so much for the info! I appreciate it.

 

[knowHim99]

changeWe just got back from our first trip to Old Key West. We stayed in studio 3517 in Turtle Pond Area. Great location, great resort. The kids especially loved the Hospitality House area with the crafts, games, and pool. Old Key West is so much more relaxing and kicked back then most of the other resorts. Maybe not as "glitzy" and fancy but it feels more like home. We were surprised by how many people we spoke with that have been members from the beginning and so many people seemed to know each other. The rooms were much larger than most dvc resorts and we also noticed many large family groups of 8 or more people.

All and all we have a great time and enjoyed our visit. The buses ran great, the parks weren't too crowded (except for screaming Pop Warner cheerleaders!). Thanks to everyone for all your recommendations and help in planning our trip.


AKV & OKW DVC Owners
Caribbean Beach 2009, Polynesian 2009, Port Orleans Riverside 2011, Grand Californian 2012/13/14, Aulani 2013, Old Key West 2014

 

[okw2012]

Just booked for Jan 12-16 in a 1BR!

 

[nono]

Just booked for Jan 12-16 in a 1BR!

 

[bksomody]

Room location question...This is our first stay at OKW and I'm looking for a room near the HH. We booked through Disney not DVC so I know HH is not a room request option and I'm trying to make a request as close as possible. I was looking at the rooms near the Penninsular Rd bus stop #23-26. Does anyone have any experience with this location? They look close to the HH, pool and bus stop? Is that the case?

 

[carlbarry]

Room location question...This is our first stay at OKW and I'm looking for a room near the HH. We booked through Disney not DVC so I know HH is not a room request option and I'm trying to make a request as close as possible. I was looking at the rooms near the Penninsular Rd bus stop #23-26. Does anyone have any experience with this location? They look close to the HH, pool and bus stop? Is that the case?

In September I stayed in building 26. It was very quiet, as it is on a cul de sac, and thus set back from Peninsular Road. The view from my balcony was of the golf course.
It was a 2-3 minute walk to HH from there. Not bad at all. I thought it was a great location.

 

[OKW Lover]

Room location question...This is our first stay at OKW and I'm looking for a room near the HH. We booked through Disney not DVC so I know HH is not a room request option and I'm trying to make a request as close as possible. I was looking at the rooms near the Penninsular Rd bus stop #23-26. Does anyone have any experience with this location? They look close to the HH, pool and bus stop? Is that the case?

Rather than request a particular building, just say you want something near the Hospitality House. Yes, even though its not a booking category for you, this tells the room assigner exactly what you want and they will do their best to fulfill it.

 

[bksomody]

Rather than request a particular building, just say you want something near the Hospitality House. Yes, even though its not a booking category for you, this tells the room assigner exactly what you want and they will do their best to fulfill it.

I requested near HH twice and I just called to make a payment and the request was not listed. I assumed because it's not through DVC.

 

[bksomody]

In September I stayed in building 26. It was very quiet, as it is on a cul de sac, and thus set back from Peninsular Road. The view from my balcony was of the golf course.
It was a 2-3 minute walk to HH from there. Not bad at all. I thought it was a great location.

That sounds nice. Is there a walkway to the pool and HH?

 

[carlbarry]

That sounds nice. Is there a walkway to the pool and HH?

There is a sidewalk on the same side of Peninsular Road as the buildings are. You follow that over the bridge, and then--at least this is what I did--cross Peninsular and right there is HH.

 

[Chuck S]

Bldgs 23 to 26 are part of the "Near HH" booking category for DVC Members booking on points, you may or may not have access to those buildings with a Disney Cash reservation, depending upon what is booked with DVC. Other good building options not part of the official "Near HH" category would be 27 to 29 (though I personally don't care for the view on those buildings) 62 to 64 and 15 or 16.

 

[rex008]

We've been twice (non-DVC). Buildings 27 and 16. Both about the same short walk to HH, but we preferred 16 - better view (from our second floor 1 Bed) - straight on to a green over a water shot, which was fun to watch . Quieter too. But I'd stay in either again for the close access to the main pool and HH.
First time we put no requests in and got put in 27 when we checked in. Second time we requested upper floor Peninsula Road, checked-in online, and when we arrived they initially had us half way up Turtle Pond Road, so we asked to change and they found us 16. So I would say put your requests in, but be ready to negotiate at check-in. Both times was late October - quiet period - so probably lucky they had space to move us.
Not sure what size you have, but bear in mind all the buildings near HH don't have the second door into the bathroom. Not a particular problem for us, but may be a consideration.

 

[Saltywardog]

Stayed back off of the south point stop. Pretty much in the back so we drove to the HH, (non DVC). Our pool never had more than 4 people and we had a great view of the golf course from our porch, I still can't figure out why people play golf and stink so much, spent many breakfast laughing. I actually enjoyed the quiet of the back as many of the rooms are empty too.

 

[Chuck S]

Stayed back off of the south point stop. Pretty much in the back so we drove to the HH, (non DVC). Our pool never had more than 4 people and we had a great view of the golf course from our porch, I still can't figure out why people play golf and stink so much, spent many breakfast laughing. I actually enjoyed the quiet of the back as many of the rooms are empty too.

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.

 

[shoes99]

DH is using a ECV so when my cousin made the reservation for us he was able to get near HH, near elevator, then he added ground floor. Since both requests are now hard coded what do you think the room assigner will pick. Either is OK with us.