OKW lovers thread !!!

[chepic]

He just got back from the doctor, and they want to replace his hip first. That makes sense I guess, so I'm hoping we have enough time to do both hip and one knee before our November trip.

Hips have a faster recovery time than a knee....I am a Physical Therapist Asst by day so I treat this all the time.


Cheryl

 

[Pinkocto]

My kids (17 and 14) and I will be staying at OKW Jan. 4-15. I'm not a DVC member so paying out of pocket. We visited a bunch of the resorts on our last trip to Disney and I let the kids pick which one they'd like to stay at next. We have only stayed at Pop Century prior to now so this will be a huge step up.

These are the reasons my kids liked OKW:

* Quiet
* Spread out
* The buses
* Pretty
* The pools (apparently they conducted an extensive study of this, LOL)
* Shuffleboard and Key Lime pie (haha)

I have read through part of this thread but not the whole thing. However, based on what I've read and the map of the property, I'm thinking our best bet for "privacy" (as my kids put it) and a view (which I would like) would be buildings 45-48 or 53-56. Does that sound right? I know I definitely DON'T want our balcony to be right next to the air conditioners so I think I'll request an upper floor as well. Can I call to add these requests to our ressie now or do I have to wait until 10 days before for the early checkin period? Are there any cool hidden away things on the resort you would recommend looking for once we're there? We love finding little details like that.

Thanks for any answers. We're really looking forward to OKW! We love Pop but after four consecutive visits we are just about burned out on it and know practically every inch of the place, so I'm hoping OKW will be a refreshing change. The kids are old enough now that they enjoy the hotel experience just as much as the rest of the trip so I'm much more willing now to pay for better places.

Congrats on your trip! I'll be doing my first stay in December, but am very excited as well. From what I've read you really can't go wrong in any section. I'm not going to request anything except an upper floor and see where the cards fall. I'm pretty sure you can call now and put your requests in, they'll just note it on your reservation.

 

[nansmama]

Congrats on your trip! I'll be doing my first stay in December, but am very excited as well. From what I've read you really can't go wrong in any section. I'm not going to request anything except an upper floor and see where the cards fall. I'm pretty sure you can call now and put your requests in, they'll just note it on your reservation.

Thanks, Pam. I hope you have a great trip in December! I really want a building over 30 because of the bathroom access issue, so maybe I'll just say that to make it easier, and then put in a request for upper floor.

 

[chicharitta]

My kids (17 and 14) and I will be staying at OKW Jan. 4-15. I'm not a DVC member so paying out of pocket. We visited a bunch of the resorts on our last trip to Disney and I let the kids pick which one they'd like to stay at next. We have only stayed at Pop Century prior to now so this will be a huge step up.

These are the reasons my kids liked OKW:

* Quiet
* Spread out
* The buses
* Pretty
* The pools (apparently they conducted an extensive study of this, LOL)
* Shuffleboard and Key Lime pie (haha)

I have read through part of this thread but not the whole thing. However, based on what I've read and the map of the property, I'm thinking our best bet for "privacy" (as my kids put it) and a view (which I would like) would be buildings 45-48 or 53-56. Does that sound right? I know I definitely DON'T want our balcony to be right next to the air conditioners so I think I'll request an upper floor as well. Can I call to add these requests to our ressie now or do I have to wait until 10 days before for the early checkin period? Are there any cool hidden away things on the resort you would recommend looking for once we're there? We love finding little details like that.

Thanks for any answers. We're really looking forward to OKW! We love Pop but after four consecutive visits we are just about burned out on it and know practically every inch of the place, so I'm hoping OKW will be a refreshing change. The kids are old enough now that they enjoy the hotel experience just as much as the rest of the trip so I'm much more willing now to pay for better places.

We will have to compare notes post trip we will be there Jan 3-9 we plan on asking for a quiet area. We aren't too concerned about views since we don't intend on being in the room other than sleeping.

 

[eandesmom]

Thanks, Pam. I hope you have a great trip in December! I really want a building over 30 because of the bathroom access issue, so maybe I'll just say that to make it easier, and then put in a request for upper floor.

That's what I've requested, I'll find out how it goes on Friday!

 

[Deb & Bill]

We will have to compare notes post trip we will be there Jan 3-9 we plan on asking for a quiet area. We aren't too concerned about views since we don't intend on being in the room other than sleeping.

You are in luck because that is everywhere at OKW.

 

[kbknepp]

I see a lot of discussion about specific buildings. Can you request a specific building when making a reservation (obviously no guarantees) or do you request an area?

Also, this would be our first stay using points. Can you make specific room requests when booking with points?

 

[kbknepp]

And another quick question: can anyone tell me anything about the little shop at OKW? We stayed at SSR in June, would the two shops carry similar items (frozen food items, small selection of fresh fruit, chips, sodas, etc)?

 

[OKW Lover]

I see a lot of discussion about specific buildings. Can you request a specific building when making a reservation (obviously no guarantees) or do you request an area?

Also, this would be our first stay using points. Can you make specific room requests when booking with points?

Its probably better to request an area than specific building. That way the room assigner has a better idea of what is important to you if the particular building isn't available. You could say something like "Building 40 or near by".

You can make requests no matter if you are booking on points or paying cash.

And another quick question: can anyone tell me anything about the little shop at OKW? We stayed at SSR in June, would the two shops carry similar items (frozen food items, small selection of fresh fruit, chips, sodas, etc)?

Yes, they will have similar items.

 

[DisneyFaeriePrincess]

Hello!! I just finished reading all 188 pages of this thread! I was going to take it slowly and just read a few pages at a time but just got caught up in the amazingness of OKW and how much everyone loves it! I pretty much grew up at OKW, my parents are DVC members since '95 and we've stayed there pretty much everytime we've gone. We did stray to other resorts but always kept coming back! I remember staying at Boardwalk the one year and just wishing to be at OKW! Now onto the important things, we will all be staying at OKW next year!! My parents are taking my DB (their son), Me and my DH to WDW next year and we're staying at OKW! I haven't been to OKW in quite a few years so it'll be great to be "home" again!! We'll have a GV so everyone gets their own bedroom. My DH has never stayed at OKW, when just the two of us go we've been staying at Pop. He's seen a bunch of pics and can't wait to go, says he thinks it looks relaxing which is his type of vacation. We are hoping to book in the near HH booking category. If we do get that it seems like the only building we'll be in is 25. Has anyone stayed in a GV in that building? How are the views? Also would I need to request anything else to be in the Penninsular area? Also I have a very important question, does anyone know if the GV in that building have the cutout mickey heads in the railings on the balcony? I used to love seeing those when we went and since my DH has never gone I think it would just be a cute little detail/surprise for him (and for me!!) Thanks so much for this wonderful thread and all your help!! (Oh and sorry for such a long post, I'm just so excited to be going!)

 

[toklotursa]

We made our first reservation at OKW for May of 2013.
We are new DVCer's and are very excited about our trip.
Now for the hard part, the waiting.

 

[KECWDW]

Hi All,
We are hopefully going to be staying at OKW in Jan 2013, as part of our honeymoon. VERY excited, we live in Australia so haven't been to WDW for YEARS.
Quick question- we will be staying in a studio, have they all been refurbished recently, or should I ask for a refurbished room? Also we are looking for somewhere quiet, pref with a view.. shall I ask for an upper floor (I have seen floor 2 mentioned quite a lot?)
Thanks!!

 

[mlittig]

All the rooms at Old Key West have been refurbished Here are some pictures of the refurbished studios to get you excited:

The kitchenette:

The balcony:

The bathroom:

Enjoy

 

[KECWDW]

Wow, thank you for the pics!! It looks great. Even more excited than I already was...

 

[TinkerbelleMom]

December will be our first DVC experience, albeit with rented points. I'm trying to convince DH to buy because we visit often (we're locals) and as a family of 5, our options are limited, and 2 mod rooms is more than I want to pay most visits. He refuses to stay value after one stay years ago at BC he became a deluxe snob, lol. Anyway, we've booked a weekend at OKW, and I've been loving this thread and all the pics. My only concern is a silly one...how many towels are there for each bath? I've got 3 DD with very long hair, so each kid ends up using more than one. I usually end up snagging a few extras from the pool, but we most likely won't be swimming this trip. I don't mind reusing, or even washing if it comes to it (we have a 2br) but I don't want to be short from the start.

 

[Pirate Granny]

Two bedroom will get nine towels. Maybe a few extra if they leave some by the spa tub.

 

[lovedisney50]

We have booked our 1st trip to okw the 1st week in Dec. There are 7 of us in a 2 bedroom near HH. It is our 1st trip home.

 

[dmoore22]

December will be our first DVC experience, albeit with rented points. I'm trying to convince DH to buy because we visit often (we're locals) and as a family of 5, our options are limited, and 2 mod rooms is more than I want to pay most visits. He refuses to stay value after one stay years ago at BC he became a deluxe snob, lol. Anyway, we've booked a weekend at OKW, and I've been loving this thread and all the pics. My only concern is a silly one...how many towels are there for each bath? I've got 3 DD with very long hair, so each kid ends up using more than one. I usually end up snagging a few extras from the pool, but we most likely won't be swimming this trip. I don't mind reusing, or even washing if it comes to it (we have a 2br) but I don't want to be short from the start.

When all our kids were still home, we're a family of 8, we'd ask housekeeping for a few extra towels after our arrival. They've always been accommodating for us.

 

[Deb & Bill]

When all our kids were still home, we're a family of 8, we'd ask housekeeping for a few extra towels after our arrival. They've always been accommodating for us.

Please don't just ask housekeeping for more towels. As DVC members we are obligated to pay for any extras. Otherwise, the cost just gets passed down to all the members. And the more members or guests of members or renters who just ask for stuff, raises our annual member fees. Nothing is free in DVC. And please don't take the pool towels for use in your villas either. Wrap up in a towel if you are wet and head back to your villa, but please don't take a stack to use in the villa. They cost more to launder than villa towels because of the sun screen and other stuff at the pools.

Order an extra towel pack for $6 - four extra bath towels, two extra hand towels and four extra face cloths. Or order extra trash and towel service. Or bring your own from home.

DVC villas usually have as many bath towels as sleeping spaces. Sleeps four = four bath towels. Sleeps eight = eight bath towels.

We all need to work together to keep our costs down.

 

[TinkerbelleMom]

Two bedroom will get nine towels. Maybe a few extra if they leave some by the spa tub.

Thanks, that will be more than enough, especially if they're leaving an extra by the spa. I was just envisioning 2 in each bath like a typical hotel, and we always have to ask for more. And the option of adding an extra towel pack to our tab isn't a bad idea either. I promise not to do anything that could increase member expenses, we will be there to enjoy ourselves responsibly and get a taste for DVC before committing ourselves as members.