OKW owners?

[john23tc]

My wife and I need to use up some banked points this year before they expire so we booked some time at OKW. We have never stayed there before and my wife really wanted to stay at our home at Boardwalk(booked)). I told her that OKW is a great resort and we would love it. She thinks it will be too much like our other resort that we own(Vistana), which is really spread out but you need to drive to get everywhere. So all you OKW owners out there can you let me know what you really love about this place so I can show her your responses. Any suggestions on what area to stay in and is Olivia's worthwhile to dine? Thank you in advance.

 

[Richyams]

Olivia's is worth while. The beauty of OKW is that you can park right outside your unit and drive everywhere without waiting for busses or some other transportation.

If you have stayed in a BWV one bedroom or larger unit and are staying at OKW in a one bedroom or larger unit, the size and comfortable feel of OKW will be fantastic, you may never want to stay at BWV again.

 

[TnRobin]

A rich had said, you can drive anywhere you want easily, but you don't have to. The Disney bus system will take care of you if you do not want to drive.

I like OKW when I want a place to stretch out. I find it relaxing to take a walk around the beautiful complex. when you are at OKW it is really hard to believe that you are in the middle of WDW property. It is a very peaceful resort. (We too own at BWV, but love both resorts for thier own merits)

 

[mickey1717]

OKW is our "home resort" and we love it. You can park right outside your door and come and go quickly. We usually do drive if going to the parks but Epcot and MGM are less than 5 minutes away. Olivia's food is good but it tends to be loud and not very peaceful. If you can get a table outside it is great. There certainly is not a much in the way of entertainment choices as at BW but if you want to there just jump in your car.

 

[dianeschlicht]

WE like the quiet atmosphere and townhome style units the best. Parking outside your door is an added benefit, but we usually take the bus to the parks. We don't find the bus to be that big a problem. We also like to take the path to DD for evening activities and take the pontoon boat back to Olivias. The wild life around OKW is fun to watch as well, and we often see the same animals throught a trip. We also like that it is a little away from the action of the parks so that when we go back for a break, we really feel like it is a break.

 

[Margie J]

Parking right near your unit is a huge plus for OKW. No more long hallway hikes like at BWV. The units are larger, as others have stated also.

If you love to play golf or tennis, facilities are right there for you. Even rent a bike or a boat near Community Hall. If you are sitting by a pool and think you are hearing tropical music, you're not imagining things. It's very relaxing.

The Resort has plenty of bus stops so you can leave your car at "Home".

 

[AnnK]

John,
OKW is a beautiful resort, but I think your concerns are valid, and I don't see where anyone has addressed them.
I have never stayed at Vistana, but I did drop off a relative there once. OKW and Vistana are spread out resorts, you enter both from the outside and park in front of your unit. They both have several pools located near the units. In that way they are alike. OKW is of course on Disney property so you can use the buses. Most people will rent a car and drive, but some people do use the buses. Olivia's is O.K., I feel that since I have not eaten there in two years I cannot give a current report on it.
I think your wife will like OKW, but I would suggest asking for something closer to the main pool, this way you won't have to drive to the front, (or face a long walk.) You can walk to DD, which is nice.
One last question, Did you ask to be waitlisted for BWV or VWL? It can't hurt to ask, you never know.

 

[RobDoc]

Don't worry too much about location at OKW as EVERY bus stops at Hospitality House before leaving the resort. This is a simple way to get to the main pool, Community Hall, Olivia's, the marina and the exercise facility. The internal bus (returning from DD) stops there 1st and then stops at all of the other stops - so you can easily ride back to your building area. In addition, you can make the short walk to Peninsular Road and then catch any bus which will go to all of the other stops.

Being close to HH is not as important as some suggest, IMHO. Enjoy your trip!!

 

[JillU-DVC]

From my own experience in January and from what i"ve been reading on these boards in the last couple of days, don't count on EVERY bus stopping at teh Hospitality house before leaving OKW property.

It's always best to ask teh driver before you get on if they are stopping at the HH before the leave or not.

FYI!

Jill Neill

 

[Zimbubba]

OKW is spread out. Driving is many times preferred to walking. The big plus to this resort is the feel. It is calm, pleasant, beautiful and most of all feels like home, not a "hotel" room or suite.

 

[bres@westernMA]

Olivia's is OK but not memorable. I might suggest a boat ride to Downtown Disney, then have dinner at one of the fine restaurants located there. Personally, I love the Foulton Crab House (spell check will not help this one) and have always enjoyed Bongos, Wolfgangs and the Rainforest.

 

[nuthut]

NO. no. comparing OKW to Vistana is like comparing a BMW to a KIA, you just can not do it!!

 

[sgtdisney]

Here is what I love about OKW. It truly feels like you are in a quiet resort away from the hub-bub of the rest of the 'world.' The resort is very quiet and has some beautiful natural views from the rooms. I enjoy being able to take my groceries, or packages and walk right into the unit from the car without having to walk huge distances. I really like having my morning coffee on the balcony overlooking the natural surroundings with all the birds and other wildlife in view. The resort really has a 'Florida' feel to me, it is hard to describe, but I like the decor and the general feel of the resort. It is a welcome change from life in the midwest... The other thing I really like is the size of the units. I enjoy being in a place that is spacious and OKW is just that.

 

[RobDoc]

From my own experience in January and from what i"ve been reading on these boards in the last couple of days, don't count on EVERY bus stopping at teh Hospitality house before leaving OKW property

Certainly ask the driver if you have any question about the destination of any bus. In our 32 weeks at OKW since we joined in '93 we have never driven to a park and always use the buses. During that time, every bus has stopped at Hospitality House before leaving the resort and it has provided a consistent means of travel to that stop. If there is any doubt though, always ask the driver- they are eager to help.

 

[normr]

If you are staying in a one-bedroom or larger unit, then I think the wife will love it, but if she is going there with the expectation that it is going to be just like BW because of the convenince of the boardwalk, then she may not like it.

We own there an love it, we like not having to shelp our luggage through a hotel and always having to use the bellman or the valet parking, or the long ridiculous walks from the elevator to our room. When I pull up in my car, I'm in my unit in a minute.

I can always go anywhere I want to eat, whether it's over to DD in a boat, by bus or by car to anywhere else, plus I can be outside WDW over to Crossroads in minutes. Just take a right after the guardhouse and your there quickly without having to fight the DD traffic.

 

[TwirlerGirl]

Hi John,

I know your wife's apprehension concerning OKW. Although we own at OKW, until last November we had not stayed there. We stayed at BWV's twice and loved it because of the night life and easy of access to Epcot/MGM. Last year we had a family vacation with my sister's family. I worried for 11 months that they would not like OKW, especially since they are NY Manhattenite's who love the city and it's night life. We rented a car to easy my fears.
I found that it was a short drive to BWV and the parks. We managed to enjoy all the same things we had before and didn't have that long hall to walk after a long day. Last time we were at BWV we were at the very end of the hall. I thought I die before we would get to our room. I enjoyed OKW for it's peaceful/quiet surroundings. I found myself relaxing more and enjoying the resort. I didn't feel compelled to walk down to Jellyrolls or shop in every store. When I wanted to do that, we drove over to BWV and spent the evening. We actually used the main pool and the exercise room at OKW. Not so at BWV, always seemed to crowded. I wish my sister has stayed longer (only 4 days) , she was just starting to relax and really wanted more time at the pool and to visit the other resorts. I wouldn't hesitate to stay at OKW again but I want to try them all.

As far as the food at Olivia's, everyone's taste is varied. I enjoyed my meal and felt it was worth the price. My sister on the other hand is very picky. She liked her meal but felt the childrens menu did not offer enough plain fare for a 3 year old. She thought the service was way to slow and our waitress was way to friendly. Even at home, she hates most restrurants. She really has plain Jane taste buds, doesn't like to try many new things. Eating out was the only problem we had the whole trip.

Have a great trip and look for the good things at OKW.

Sandy B.