OKW or POFQ

[Koogs]

We're planning on going to Disney in February during winter break and are trying to figure out where we want to stay. We previously have stayed at AKL, Kidani, Saratoga all in DVC 2 br units (rented points) with family./ This time we're 1 less person in that my father isn't coming, only myself, my wife, kids 8,3, infant and my mother (with scooter).

This time we weren't fully on top of the booking timeframe and a lot of DVC is booked up that week and are left with SS, Kidani, and OKW, 2 br units. We ideally wanted Beach club or boardwalk for the location near Epcot and HS combined with the boardwalk area and pools.

Saratoga- we weren't thrilled with our stay there 3 years ago. The rooms were a bit worn, the layout is soo spread out, didn't have a disney feel.

Kidani- we stayed there and liked it, buses were long trips. the room was like a mile from the lobby. It was a nice room, loved the theming, loved the animals, didn't have time for the pool.

OKW- haven't stayed there, like the theming idea, room configuration is nice. I'm concerned its going to be a lot like saratoga in that it is spread out, worried the quick service items aren't going to be easy to get if needed, concerned bus transportation with the loop is going to take a long time, Saratoga did take a while it seemed.

Long post to get to the point, I'm thinking I may want to try OKW, but am considering getting 2 connecting rooms at POFQ. POFQ I've said always that if we didn't stay DVC, this would be one to try. I like the theming, there is quick service nearby. Same boat transport to Springs. Bus transport every where else. I have a feeling in the back of my head that you're closer to the "action" here, but have no real basis.

In general, older kids would share a bed in my mothers room and we would have the baby in our room. OKW, we would have a common room, PO, we wouldn't.

we don't cook lunches and dinners. we normally have been having breakfast in the room consisting of cereal, fruit, toast.

Pricing surprisingly isn't too different between 2 rooms at a moderate and the 2br dvc point room.

Does anyone have some thoughts I should consider? things I'm overblowing etc?

 

[Elle :)]

I've stayed at both. I would go with OKW. The rooms are so spacious and there's that huge tub (a win for me but maybe not others). We never had any problems with buses and the ride to MK was actually pretty quick. Plus, you can take a boat to Disney Springs from the resort which we used a lot more than we expected to.

The rooms at POFQ are nice but a little small. On the other hand, the pool is really nice.

 

[CarolMN]

I'd go for the 2 bedroom at OKW, also. Laundry, fully equipped kitchen (even if you only use the refrigerator for milk and maybe the microwave, plus a the living room space for gathering. Did I mention the in unit washer & dryer? Less to pack. the @ bedroom also gives you more privacy options if you elect to let the kids sleep in the living room - remember there is a sleep chair as well as the queen sleep sofa. So no bed sharing.

 

[BillPA]

OKW does NOT have elevators, request ground floor.

 

[Elle :)]

I'd go for the 2 bedroom at OKW, also. Laundry, fully equipped kitchen (even if you only use the refrigerator for milk and maybe the microwave, plus a the living room space for gathering. Did I mention the in unit washer & dryer? Less to pack. the @ bedroom also gives you more privacy options if you elect to let the kids sleep in the living room - remember there is a sleep chair as well as the queen sleep sofa. So no bed sharing.

I totally forgot about that. A full size fridge is an awesome feature. We don't cook on our trips but we do store plenty of water and adult beverages in there. It's much nicer than the dorm style mini-fridges in the hotel rooms.

 

[MICKIMINI]

Who doesn't want to sit out on the covered porch at OKW? It is a gorgeous resort. Ask to be near the Hospitality House or Turtle Pond so you are near a pool and a QS meal. Bring laundry pods and dryer sheets and pack half the clothes. It is our first (but not only) love at DVC!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I totally forgot about that. A full size fridge is an awesome feature. We don't cook on our trips but we do store plenty of water and adult beverages in there. It's much nicer than the dorm style mini-fridges in the hotel rooms.

Icemaker in that full sized refrigerator. You don't have to run down to the bus stop to get more ice.

 

[Koogs]

So basically it’s unanimous that I should do OKW
So which building should I ask for? I think the option is a “standard “ room not the preferred. I think we want to be near the main pool.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Not even a consideration - OKW. Moderates have no balcony and you'd just have essentially 2 motel rooms. Closer to the action? Not IMO.

As mentioned, OKW has no elevators in all but 3 buildings. (I'm actually thinking POFQ may not either? We've only stayed in the Riverside section) With the scooter be certain to request ground floor. Because of the scooter I'd tend to go with Kidani but you'll probably be fine in getting a ground floor at OKW. Since the tallest building is 3 floors it means at least 1/3rd of the resort is ground floor.

The 3 buildings with elevators are near the Hospitality House but are not in the HH room category. You might request one of them. Bldgs 62, 63 and 64.

 

[GrumpyInPhilly]

Not even a consideration - OKW. Moderates have no balcony and you'd just have essentially 2 motel rooms. Closer to the action? Not IMO.

As mentioned, OKW has no elevators in all but 3 buildings. (I'm actually thinking POFQ may not either? We've only stayed in the Riverside section) With the scooter be certain to request ground floor. Because of the scooter I'd tend to go with Kidani but you'll probably be fine in getting a ground floor at OKW. Since the tallest building is 3 floors it means at least 1/3rd of the resort is ground floor.

The 3 buildings with elevators are near the Hospitality House but are not in the HH room category. You might request one of them. Bldgs 62, 63 and 64.

I've stayed @ POFQ and there are elevators.

 

[Deb & Bill]

So basically it’s unanimous that I should do OKW
So which building should I ask for? I think the option is a “standard “ room not the preferred. I think we want to be near the main pool.

Bldg 11, 12, 13, 14, 23, 24, 25 and 26 are all considered the Near Hospitality House booking category. You won't get those with a non-HH area reservation or with a cash reservation. Bldg 62, 63 and 64 are usually reserved for medical needs since they are the only buildings with elevators. Bldg 27 and 28 are right next to the Peninsular Road bus stop (the first stop for all theme park buses), and just a short walk across the bridge to the main pool and HH area. Here is a map of OKW.

 

[rg35]

If you request a ground floor at OKW, make sure that the CM notes it is for medical reasons. I still do not know if that means they are more likely to honor the request, but it has been advised on here in the past to note it is for medical reasons and those people have gotten their ground floor rooms.

I've stayed at OKW four times. It's very spread out and has one (small) quick service location that is crowded because it's right by the main pool, and bus service will be long inbound or outbound depending on where you are on the internal loop. Personally, I love OKW but it sounds like it's going to be a combination of all the things you didn't like at other resorts.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you request a ground floor at OKW, make sure that the CM notes it is for medical reasons. I still do not know if that means they are more likely to honor the request, but it has been advised on here in the past to note it is for medical reasons and those people have gotten their ground floor rooms.

I've stayed at OKW four times. It's very spread out and has one (small) quick service location that is crowded because it's right by the main pool, and bus service will be long inbound or outbound depending on where you are on the internal loop. Personally, I love OKW but it sounds like it's going to be a combination of all the things you didn't like at other resorts.

Goods to Go, that one (small) quick service location is really just the pool grill with outdoor picnic tables as the only seating. With OKW built as the first DVC resort, every villa has either a kitchenette or a full kitchen. No need to eat every meal at a food court. So there isn't one.

But with a scooter, you'll definitely need a ground floor villa otherwise, your scooter will be parked outside in the elements. And it may be difficult to charge it up.

 

[rg35]

Goods to Go, that one (small) quick service location is really just the pool grill with outdoor picnic tables as the only seating. With OKW built as the first DVC resort, every villa has either a kitchenette or a full kitchen. No need to eat every meal at a food court. So there isn't one.

Yes, I know that. My grandparents bought Old Key West in 1993 so no need for the history lesson. Not everyone wants to cook on vacation, and OP specifically stated a concern of how difficult it might be to get quick service, which is why I provided information about QS. And since they've stayed at SS and AKV, they are certainly alread familiar with the layout of deluxe villa rooms.

People are overwhelmingly recommending OKW to this poster despite it having a combination of downsides they have encountered at other resorts. I personally don't think it is the right fit for them, especially if for some reason they cannot get a ground floor villa - they will have a major quandary to deal with if that's the case.

 

[Koogs]

Hmmm... I'm torn. Maybe we can fit I. A 1 be with 1 adult and 2 littles in the king and 2 adults on the pull out. That opens up boardwalk. Concerned about spending a week on a pull out. But otherwise could work. Wish someting like a bay lake 1 be was available with the 5 beds.

Kidani has a 2 br also we only spent like 3 nights at last time on a split stay, it was all we could get there. We enjoyed it, it was our first disney DVC experience. We enjoyed the animals but didn't get a lot of other resort time (pool). We did go back to Jambo last time for a week and I liked it a lot, just thought the bus ride was more inconvenient, and was hoping to improve that.
Overall I want to have a good trip with a resort that is a decent fit for our expectations.
Having always stayed where we had buses I don’t know what realistically staying at a boardwalk, beach club or monorail resort is like. I’m thinking transportation is a lot more convenient for our party. But maybe I’m idealizing.

 

[Hopefully]

Yes, I know that. My grandparents bought Old Key West in 1993 so no need for the history lesson. Not everyone wants to cook on vacation, and OP specifically stated a concern of how difficult it might be to get quick service, which is why I provided information about QS. And since they've stayed at SS and AKV, they are certainly alread familiar with the layout of deluxe villa rooms.

People are overwhelmingly recommending OKW to this poster despite it having a combination of downsides they have encountered at other resorts. I personally don't think it is the right fit for them, especially if for some reason they cannot get a ground floor villa - they will have a major quandary to deal with if that's the case.

No need for Nasty reply
I definitely recommend 2 BR OKW over Kidani.
Good Luck

 

[MICKIMINI]

Yes, I know that. My grandparents bought Old Key West in 1993 so no need for the history lesson. Not everyone wants to cook on vacation, and OP specifically stated a concern of how difficult it might be to get quick service, which is why I provided information about QS. And since they've stayed at SS and AKV, they are certainly alread familiar with the layout of deluxe villa rooms.

People are overwhelmingly recommending OKW to this poster despite it having a combination of downsides they have encountered at other resorts. I personally don't think it is the right fit for them, especially if for some reason they cannot get a ground floor villa - they will have a major quandary to deal with if that's the case.

I bought OKW in 1996. I am now disabled. We are staying in October/November this year. I requested a ground floor one bedroom online but also contacted OKW directly and they more than happy to ensure that I get a ground floor to accommodate the scooter I am renting. Disney takes HA seriously but they don't know what they don't know...it is up to you to contact OKW directly to ensure you have the necessary accommodations. OKW is the best choice...for your family. (First trip 1973, about 30 additional trips, OKW, BWV owner)

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Hmmm... I'm torn. Maybe we can fit I. A 1 be with 1 adult and 2 littles in the king and 2 adults on the pull out. That opens up boardwalk. Concerned about spending a week on a pull out. But otherwise could work. Wish someting like a bay lake 1 be was available with the 5 beds.

Kidani has a 2 br also we only spent like 3 nights at last time on a split stay, it was all we could get there. We enjoyed it, it was our first disney DVC experience. We enjoyed the animals but didn't get a lot of other resort time (pool). We did go back to Jambo last time for a week and I liked it a lot, just thought the bus ride was more inconvenient, and was hoping to improve that.
Overall I want to have a good trip with a resort that is a decent fit for our expectations.
Having always stayed where we had buses I don’t know what realistically staying at a boardwalk, beach club or monorail resort is like. I’m thinking transportation is a lot more convenient for our party. But maybe I’m idealizing.

Be kind to your adults and do not place 2 of them on a pull out sofa in a 1BR.

So Kidani was ok for your QS needs? If so then OKW should be perfectly good too. If nothing else one can always pick up some grocery items in the store - there are some frozen meals you can heat up and other things to put together that just require turning on an oven.

OKW buses are not going to be an improvent over Kidani per se. There are more stops within the resort and then direct to the parks. But you'd have seen the same thing at SSR. OKW is also very centrally located so it's short rides everywhere once you get out of the resort. At AKV there is a stop at Kidani and one at Jambo and then direct to the parks. But a week in a 1BR with 3 adults and 3 kids with a walk or boat to two parks and buses to 2 other parks (and those bus rides are not so great for some reason) vs a week in a 2BR with direct buses to all parks - 1 being a very short bus ride to AK? I'd always go with the 2BR. A 1BR sounds miserable to me. Also to point out it's only 1bathroom at BWV vs 2 in an OKW 2BR or 3 in a Kidani 2BR.

Fact is at WDW there's always going to be a bus to get somewhere. I don't think of it too much anymore because they all have some bad ones. MK buses to DHS or AK? No better than anywhere else. And the monorail to Epcot? We've had it take more than an hour and a quarter to get back to BLT very late in the evening. Transporation is what makes the ability to walk from any resort somewhere a plus but then there's always places you have to bus to.

 

[rg35]

No need for Nasty reply
I definitely recommend 2 BR OKW over Kidani.
Good Luck

My reply wasn't nasty. I didn't call them names or insult them. Simply put, their response trying to "school" me on OKW was completely unnecessary in the first place and did nothing to address the OP's questions either. I didn't realize you were their lawyer.

Finally, you are recommending OKW to them over Kidani when they aren't even considering Kidani, they are looking at POFQ.

 

[Deb & Bill]

My reply wasn't nasty. I didn't call them names or insult them. Simply put, their response trying to "school" me on OKW was completely unnecessary in the first place and did nothing to address the OP's questions either. I didn't realize you were their lawyer.

Finally, you are recommending OKW to them over Kidani when they aren't even considering Kidani, they are looking at POFQ.

Did you ever think I might have just been adding to your comments to make sure they knew about the picnic tables and ability to cook in the villa? smdh