OKW lovers thread !!!

[mlittig]

I made a video you could watch. I love looking at photos and videos of OKW when I'm not there.

Thanks for the awesome video

 

[snyderla]

I know the more word gets out about how awesome the resort is, the harder it is for me to book the 1 bedroom villa's there. So, let's start an "OKW is horrible, so stay away" thread!

 

[Tybalt]

Can the OKW is horrible thread have pictures? (J/K)

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

A friend mentioned work to begin soon on Hospitality House & Olivia roofs, etc.... Anyone have updates? Closures??

 

[ellenmiele]

We will be at OKW for the first time in 9 days

I was looking at the resort map and was trying to see how we would get from our room to the Hospitality House and main pool if we aren't near the HH area? ( I requested HH area when I did my online checkin so I've got fingers crossed) Are there footpaths like at SSR? Is OKW as large and spread out as SSR?

 

[WDWMom]

We will be at OKW in 3 days. I will post if I hear anything about renovations.

OKW has lots of sidewalks to get around the resort. Most run next to the streets, so it is easy to walk around. OKW is laid out like a condo community so everything is right on the streets because you park in front of your villa. I would say the farthest villa from the pool is a 15 minute walk. But you can hop on any bus and it will take you to the HH before it leaves the resort.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We will be at OKW for the first time in 9 days

I was looking at the resort map and was trying to see how we would get from our room to the Hospitality House and main pool if we aren't near the HH area? ( I requested HH area when I did my online checkin so I've got fingers crossed) Are there footpaths like at SSR? Is OKW as large and spread out as SSR?

You can't request Hospitality House area. It must be booked that way. OKW is not as spread out as SSR (at least it doesn't seem that way to me), and there are 5 bus stops. You will always be pretty close to one of them, so you are only as far as a bus stop from HH. All buses stop at HH before leaving the resort, and there is an internal bus that just keeps driving the loop as well.

I don't understand why everyone thinks they MUST be near HH. It's NOT my favorite area. HH means you are more likely to have to stand on the bus in the mornings. It also means you will not have the extra door to the bathroom so guests in the living room have to march through the master bedroom to get to the bathroom. Only buildings 30 and above have that extra door, and HH buildings are 11-14, and 23-26.

 

[ellenmiele]

When I did the online checkin there was an option to request close to Hospitality House.

 

[Deb & Bill]

When I did the online checkin there was an option to request close to Hospitality House.

That's an error because HH is a booking category.

 

[ellenmiele]

This is what the website has:
(copied and pasted right off the Disney website)

Room Requests:

Request Hospitality House Area

 

[Deb & Bill]

This is what the website has:
(copied and pasted right off the Disney website)

Room Requests:

Request Hospitality House Area

And that is an error because HH Area is a booking category. If you are looking at the Disney Reservation Center booking and not DVC booking, you can't get HH area with cash.

 

[WDWMom]

You can't request Hospitality House area. It must be booked that way. OKW is not as spread out as SSR (at least it doesn't seem that way to me), and there are 5 bus stops. You will always be pretty close to one of them, so you are only as far as a bus stop from HH. All buses stop at HH before leaving the resort, and there is an internal bus that just keeps driving the loop as well.

I don't understand why everyone thinks they MUST be near HH. It's NOT my favorite area. HH means you are more likely to have to stand on the bus in the mornings. It also means you will not have the extra door to the bathroom so guests in the living room have to march through the master bedroom to get to the bathroom. Only buildings 30 and above have that extra door, and HH buildings are 11-14, and 23-26.

I agree with you Diane. Not a fan of my boys having to walk through our room to get to the bathroom. That's one of the reasons I like building 30. Nice walk to HH, we get the extra door, and we have always had a nice view.

I do disagree on having to stand on the buses though. We are usually at WDW for spring break. Most years it falls either the week before or after Easter which is premier season. We always get on the bus at HH and I don't ever recall having to stand leaving OKW. On days we go to the parks (2/3 out of 9/10 days), we start early and make it when the park opens. Standing has not been an issue. Now coming back from the parks at closing is another story. It has always been standing room only.

Christmas and summer might be another issue though.

 

[merbobear]

You can't request Hospitality House area. It must be booked that way. OKW is not as spread out as SSR (at least it doesn't seem that way to me), and there are 5 bus stops. You will always be pretty close to one of them, so you are only as far as a bus stop from HH. All buses stop at HH before leaving the resort, and there is an internal bus that just keeps driving the loop as well.

I don't understand why everyone thinks they MUST be near HH. It's NOT my favorite area. HH means you are more likely to have to stand on the bus in the mornings. It also means you will not have the extra door to the bathroom so guests in the living room have to march through the master bedroom to get to the bathroom. Only buildings 30 and above have that extra door, and HH buildings are 11-14, and 23-26.

I booked HH area for our upcoming stay and I am excited about the location. Being close to dining and the main pool is something we look forward to. I can't speak for everyone, but those are MY reasons why I would rather be near HH. An extra door to the bathroom is not a plus to me, so I'm happy to lose that feature! lol

 

[FunkyDuck]

We just booked OKW 1 bedroom villa for Thanksgiving week and we are super excited. I'm so glad I found this thread...I searched for it a couple of times and couldn't get it to "show up" in my results...but alas...here you are!!!

I'm just starting to research which room/area to put in a request for...I think I do NOT want an HH area villa...would rather be on the bus first or second...also would rather be "away from the traffic of HH". I would like a peaceful, water view...and be on the second floor...

Looking forward to reading the complete thread...but just wanted to jump in here and say "hello" and to share our excitement and soak up some resort knowledge!!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

We just booked OKW 1 bedroom villa for Thanksgiving week and we are super excited. I'm so glad I found this thread...I searched for it a couple of times and couldn't get it to "show up" in my results...but alas...here you are!!!

I'm just starting to research which room/area to put in a request for...I think I do NOT want an HH area villa...would rather be on the bus first or second...also would rather be "away from the traffic of HH". I would like a peaceful, water view...and be on the second floor...

Looking forward to reading the complete thread...but just wanted to jump in here and say "hello" and to share our excitement and soak up some resort knowledge!!!

HH area isn't a request. You either booked it already or didn't.

 

[mlittig]

FunkyDuck, congrats on renting at Old Key West for Thanksgiving I am sure you will love it there

 

[coastermom]

Never been to OKW but was looking into booking through a DVC member and renting some points . I have stayed at AKL and BC/YC as well as the suites at All Star Music ... What kind of resort is OKW ? I am looking for the good / bad and great parts of it . We love the BC/YC for the convenience and the pool !! Is the Pool at OKW good ? We are a big group and may rent either a grand villa or just a few smaller ones is there a way to get rooms in the same building ? This is us doing early planning for next summer !! We are so thrilled to go for my nephew's first visit to the magic !! WHOOO

 

[FunkyDuck]

HH area isn't a request. You either booked it already or didn't.

Yes, read that earlier...was just saying that I need to make a request but don't want to stay in the HH area...so it really is a non issue for me...would rather have a more peaceful location.

FunkyDuck, congrats on renting at Old Key West for Thanksgiving I am sure you will love it there

Thank you so much! We are super excited and just from the pictures/threads/info I'm positive we will love it also. Just what we are looking for. I am not renting though...went the cash route.

 

[FunkyDuck]

Sorry...double posted.

 

[scottmel]

Hello I am doing a split stay in June - currently at Poly and BC CL. I don't think I am going to be happy at Poly and wanted to change that leg of the trip. MANY years ago i stayed OKW Studio and we really liked it. Can you help me determine a few things

1. Any pics of the newly refurbed rooms and were all rooms done - including studios?

2. Last time we stayed the first night it was really noisy, like a highway. I want to avoid this - what area is this referred to so I can note it?

3. Studios have washer and dryers correct?

4. Help convince me OKW would be great for my family of 3

5. BIg question - how is the food court here??