OKW lovers thread !!!

[hmillerbarilla]

We were in Blg. 23 last week! It has not been rehabbed yet and it's designated as "near HH". Is your reservation for a unit near HH? We loved the location.....it was a 2-3 minute walk to the snack counter/pool/CH area.

Have a great trip!

When I booked all the "near HH" category villas were full. Mine is just a request. So, I know my chances of getting that building are slim, and to be "safe" I'd like to put in a reasonable request. That is why I'm thinking of the Turtle Pond area.

Glad to hear you loved OKW! We were in building 62 last July and it was so convenient. We loved the vacation feel that the resort has. Loved it!

 

[zorro77]

Will be arriving home in 26 days to OKW. Have a request for bldg. 19-20-or 21. Won't be reno. yet but that is fine. Like the area, quite pool and short walk to bus and coffee in the morning. Cannot wait. Will be our second two weeks stay this year. Happy Halloween and good food/wine/beer times to come. Oh, maybe a cigar or two.

 

[hmillerbarilla]

I just changed my request from building 23 to Turtle Pond area. I hope the snack bar is open over labor day!

Only one week to go!

 

[mamaboogie]

The snack bar seemed to be open most times during the day. That quiet pool was really lovely and relaxing.

They are really cracking along with the refurbs - our room was refurbed and we noticed on our first day, when we were sitting on the patio, the building next to us didn't have any blinds up - so we assumed they were being refurbed. A day or so later they looked all ready.

There were teams of vans and guys working in the buildings opposite the Turtle Pond bus stop.

The single sleeper sofa that my 14 year old slept on was very comfy and plenty big enough for an adult. My 16 year old was very happy to have the double sleeper sofa all to herself!

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

Well I have just well and truly fallen in love with the place. So much so that withing a week of coming home I had rebooked for next year.

We are looking at Turtle Pond for next year - would anyone know the approx summer hours of the snack bar (August) and if it takes DDP?

Best wishes

 

[saintstickets]

The Good's Foods To Go snack bar is currently included in the DDP. Here is a link to their menu....
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?Restaurant.ID=304#menu

 

[hmillerbarilla]

The snack bar seemed to be open most times during the day. That quiet pool was really lovely and relaxing.

They are really cracking along with the refurbs - our room was refurbed and we noticed on our first day, when we were sitting on the patio, the building next to us didn't have any blinds up - so we assumed they were being refurbed. A day or so later they looked all ready.

There were teams of vans and guys working in the buildings opposite the Turtle Pond bus stop.

The single sleeper sofa that my 14 year old slept on was very comfy and plenty big enough for an adult. My 16 year old was very happy to have the double sleeper sofa all to herself!

The pictures of the quiet pool look wonderful! I think it will be great!

I am hoping for a new room, but I will be OK with not getting one either. I think OKW is such a great resort regardless.

I'll report back on the snack shack at Turtle Pond. I'm hoping to be able to fill our mugs there. Is there coffee? breakfast? Or do I have to go to Good's to Go?

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

I would also be interested in any information on the Turtle pond snack bar - opening hours and DDP acceptance possibility.

Goods to go was great for us!

 

[kritter]

Heading to OKW in October. Wondering if any of the rooms in HH have been renovated yet? This is where are room will be located. THanks, a bunch!!

 

[andytamia]

It may have been asked and answered here already.... but does anyone have a list of the refurbished GVs at OKW??

 

[dvczerfs]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lclTv0fWv6w found this on you tube, thought it was a good video of the refurb. sorry, couldnt find one on a grand villa.

 

[dvczerfs]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjQFFcnj3hs&feature=related heres a grand villa, not sure were you can find which ones are updated.

 

[speicher46]

We love OKW. It is truly like home !

 

[BammBamm]

We will be at OKW in 3 weeks, was wondering if anyone could tell me what would be the best building of those with GV's and 2 bedrooms would have a great view of the golf course, in a quiet area, but near a quiet pool and not a great walk to the buses? Taking 80+year old parents, wants are a pic in front of castle and ride the ferry for mom and dad wants to watch the golfers..where should we stay?

 

[bunkkinsmom]

We will be at OKW in 3 weeks, was wondering if anyone could tell me what would be the best building of those with GV's and 2 bedrooms would have a great view of the golf course, in a quiet area, but near a quiet pool and not a great walk to the buses? Taking 80+year old parents, wants are a pic in front of castle and ride the ferry for mom and dad wants to watch the golfers..where should we stay?

We have stayed in a GV in building 63 and LOVED it.
We sat on the balcony and watched golfers on the green right outside.
We walked to the HH, it is DIRECTLY across from the Hospitality House, but not considered the HH category. I went with my 60 something inlaws and had no issues.

Have fun!

 

[hmillerbarilla]

Okay! DH and I have returned from a lovely weekend at OKW!

We got a new room in Turtle Pond!
We got to relax by the pool!
We got to watch the movies at Epcot and the shows at DHS & AK and I didn't have to push/fold/lug strollers around for 3 days!!!!
(DSis and my mom had the kiddies!)

We were in room 4325 (Studio). It was on the second floor and had a view of a very swampy pond (would this be Turtle pond?) and a fountain. It was quiet and lovely. The bus stop was close, the pool was close, but it was a hike up to the HH. I will stay in the HH area when we're with the kids.

Here are a few pics of the fountain and pond:

our room:

About the Turtle Pond Snack Shack place:
While we were there it didn't open until 11a.m. So, we never even filled our mugs there. Both times we used the pool it was before 11 so we never even saw the place open. It appeared that you can use the DDP there because there was the little DDP snack option sign by the sides.

We used the boat to/from DTD a couple times and it was very quick and relaxing. I love taking the boat. We also experienced good wait times for the buses to/from the parks. A few times we did wait almost the full 20 minutes, but we were there in such a slow time I wasn't surprised. We only once had a full bus, there were usually plenty of seats.

Good's to Go was OK. We shared a turkey sandwich for a snack when we arrived and it was cold, a bit soggy and I wouldn't get it again. We stopped in Olivia's for appetizers before we left on the Magical Express and it was great. We shared the shrimp & grits & conch fritters and the order of crabcakes. It was delicious and our server was fantastic. We love Olivia's and regret that we didn't choose to do a sit down TS there this trip.

Any questions? We love OKW and will definitely return. As another PP said, it really feels like home. Love it!

 

[hmillerbarilla]

I have some other pics of OKW if any of you are interested...

Some from the boat ride:

You can tell I'm not a "photographer" but it's fun. Can't wait to go back!!!

 

[diddldonna]

Thanks for sharing photos, can't wait to see this all for myself in 2 weeks

 

[cherjp]

thanks for sharing your photos.

We will be there in 3 weeks time for a whole 2 weeks really excited.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Good's to Go was OK. We shared a turkey sandwich for a snack when we arrived and it was cold, a bit soggy and I wouldn't get it again. We stopped in Olivia's for appetizers before we left on the Magical Express and it was great. We shared the shrimp & grits & conch fritters and the order of crabcakes. It was delicious and our server was fantastic. We love Olivia's and regret that we didn't choose to do a sit down TS there this trip.

Not a big fan of Good to Go either, but in a pinch it's OK, for a really good turkey sandwich, next time try Olivia's, it's one of my faves!