OKW questions

[DeeCee735]

We have ressies to stay at OKW for the first time - we own at BWV. At first I wasn't thrilled with the idea of not staying at BW, as we have teenagers and they are kind of "down" because they're thinking they won't be able to go about on their own at OKW as much as they could at BW. (Made ressie's sort of last minute - last minute for DVCer's anyway & couldn't get BW - on a waitlist). Anyway - the more I read about OKW the more I think all of us will like it - but a couple of questions:

1) How old do the kids have to be to rent water bikes or pedal boats? (Didn't even know OKW offered this!)

2) Do the kids have to bring their own volleyball and basketball, or can we get them "on loan"?

3) If we would like to be near Olivia's, a pool, check in, and close to bus stops but not too close, yet away from road - not asking too much am I
what location/bldg is best to request?

Thanks to anyone who can help! I'm really looking forward to staying at OKW now that I've learned much about it!

 

[mickeymom629]

Two of my sons rented a watermouse boat two summers ago. The older one was 12 and the younger one was 8. They did fine and rode to DTD and back. The funny thing, I thought, was that they had to be 18 to rent the surrey bikes, but they are hard to steer, so I guess that's why. We brought our own basketballs, so I don't know about having them there, but I would imagine that they would (?). The weight room is also there (not as nice as BW). I have requested "near the main pool" and we like building 26, or any in that loop. I'm sure there are others that are good too.

You will also love the extra space in the villas! Have fun!

 

[tjkraz]

You can borrow sports equipment from Hank's, which is right near the main pool. I think you just need to leave your room key. There is no charge.

As far as not being near a road, that really isn't possible. The buildings all line internal roadways. However, take comfort in the fact that your balcony will point away from the road. You might want to request a specific view. The rooms either face the golf course, a waterway or a wooded area.

 

[vernon]

IF you're ok to let them wander, IMHO OKW offers as least as much chance for freedom as BW does. They can take the watertaxi over to DTD and wander around there. They could also spend an afternoon at DQ if your tix allowed that.

For room locations I think 23-26 are possibly your best bet, but it's worth remembering if you're in a one bedroom unit that the first blocks built ( I think up to mid 20s ) access the bathroom through the master bedroom. Later units have a doorway through the laundryroom so anyone using the sofabed doesn't disturb those sleeping in the bedroom.

Here's a map of the layout of OKW. http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/resortmaps/okwmap.jpg

 

[spiceycat]

here is a newer map
http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/okwmap.htm

if you will allow it - your teens could walk to DDW -

I like the 55 building before it is right next to this path. has some great water views, too...

after you get a taste for those bigger rooms at OKW - you may like it even better....

 

[jordansdad]

With the opening of the new pool slide I would imagine that "near hospitality house" or "near main pool" requests will more than double so keep in mind that what was already a difficult request to meet will now become even more difficult. The buildings that make up the Hospitality House area are 11-16, 23-29 and 62-64. If you look on the map in the post above some of those locations are geographically colser than others to the actual Hospitality House.
My family has stayed in just about all of the OKW "neighborhoods" in the past except South Point (Buildings 45-56). We generally reserve a 2BR and 3 Studios near eachother and often are placed in the U shaped buildings (14, 18, 35 and 38). We enjoy the Millers Road (Buildings 17-22) area quite a bit. There is a nice quiet pool and bus stop close and it is an easy walk to the Hospitality House/Main Pool area. Turtle Pond is also nice (Buildings 30-44). Its pool area is the largest of the "quiet" pools and includes a snack bar (the Turtle Shack) and an arcade as well as barbeque grills and picnic area.
Personally I don't believe there are any truely "bad" locations at OKW. The rooms are so much bigger than all the other DVC resorts. Once you stay here you will be spoiled! We joined in '91 and have only ever stayed at anyplace else 3 times in the last 14 years! (If you don't count the occasional trip to HH or Vero).

 

[tjkraz]

Personally I don't believe there are any truely "bad" locations at OKW.

If possible, the buildings I would try to avoid are those that border Bonnet Creek Pkwy and Buena Vista Drive. We stayed in building 38 or 39 once, and the balcony was virtually useless. There were a lot of overgrown trees right off of the balcony--no sunlight could get in--and you could hear all of the traffic noise coming from the main roads.

Given my choice, I'd take anything on the interior of the resort over 38-39-41-42-49-50.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Don't worry too much about the roads, because they are not a problem for most units. The parking lots,stairs,bathrooms and entry ways give lots of protection from the road side, and the balconys and living spaces face away from those, so most have great views of water, golf course etc. I would not request near the main pool, but would just request near a pool. We actually prefer the South Point area of buildings 55 and 56.

 

[WDWMom]

Do not worry about where your room is located for yor kids. OKW is easy to get around. Nothing in the form of night life like BW, but they can go to DDT. Or DD 13 manages her two brothers quite well from OKW to DDT (ages 8 & 9) and goes to the store and Hanks without any supervision. But she has grown up there so she knows tit well. If your teens are used to WDW, I do not see any problems.