OKW Questions

[bjenk10704]

My family and I are staying on Disney property for the first time this Sept. We have chose the OKW resort for our stay and am very much looking forward to the trip.

I do have a few questions. We will not have a car and will be using the Magical Express. How do we get to the parks (boat, monorail, buses)? We also have a character b-fast at the comtempary, is there transporation to other hotels?

I have a 4 yr old and I was wondering what activities the resort will have for him?

Is there a store that I can purchase groceries? I have read good reviews about Olivia's, is that the only restaurant?

Any comments are greatly appreciated.

Brian

 

[Jamesbyr]

Transportation is by bus to all the parks and to Downtown Disney.
To the Contemporary, take the bus to Magic Kingdom, then monorail one stop to the hotel. If it is really early, I have heard that bus drivers will sometimes drop you at the Contemporary if you let them know your plan, but this does not always happen.
There are some children's activities scheduled at Old Key West during the day, and these are listed in a weekly calendar you get when you check in.
Finally, there is a very small grocery section in the gift shop, best for frozen pizza, as well as breakfast and lunch items. Olivia's is the only restaurant (there is a snack bar near the pool) but there are plenty of restaurants a bus ride away in Downtown.

 

[JR]

Transportation is by bus. There are no buses running from resort to resort. For Contemporary I would suggest a bus to the Magic Kingdom and then either the monorail or a boat to the Contemporary. You could also take a bus to Downtown Disney or any theme park and then a bus to Contemporary but I think the Magic Kingdom would be more efficient. There are no grocery stores within walking distance. The store at OKW has a limited supply of groceries but is a bit expensive.
Olivia is the only sit down restaurant at OKW.
There are activities for a 4 year old most days.

I think you will love OKW, we do!

JR

 

[dianeschlicht]

The buses to the parks from OKW are very efficient and we like walking the path to DTD or taking the ferry to DTD or SSR. To get to the other resorts (like the Contemporary), you need to either take a bus to a park (like MK) and either walk from there or take the Monorail to the Contemporary. Buses start to run about 1 1/2 to 2 hours before parks open, so that should work for your breakfast. If you are going between resort hotels after the parks are closed, you have to do so by transfering at DTD.

 

[owtrbnks]

There are no grocery stores within walking distance. The store at OKW has a limited supply of groceries but is a bit expensive.
JR[/QUOTE]

It's all relative. During a recent stay at OKW, I took the bus to DTD and walked up Hotel Plaza Blvd. to Crossroads. There's a Goodings supermarket there. It's not cheap, but prices are much less than at WDW, and they have a much better selection. It's probably about a mile from DTD to Goodings (I took an empty suitcase to carry my groceries "home") but remember - you walk about 5 miles each day you spend at a park! On our last evening, I took the bus to DTD, then walked up HPB to the Doubletree to pick up a rental car; so last day we could go out to lunch on our way to the airport and arrive when we wanted to. OKW was Great!! Well, I've used up my 2 cents!

 

[bjenk10704]

Looks like groceries are out without a car unless I can make friends with a neighbor quickly.

I wanted to ask about our split stay. The first night we are staying at ASM and then the remainder of our stay is at OKW. Without a car can we take our luggage on the buses to transfer to OKW or is there some other way? Just wondering, I don't my family walking around WDW carrying luggage.

Brian

 

[dizplanner]

The resorts will transfer your luggage for you. Just give it to luggage services at ASM with instructions (i.e. deliver to OKW) and it will be delivered for you in the afternoon. Then just call Bell Services at OKW after you are in your room and they will deliver it to your room for you.

To get to OKW, just go to the parks in the morning from ASM and catch a bus from the park to OKW when you are ready to check-in.

As for groceries, if all you want are breakfast items and snacks (and some quick dinners), just buy them at the OKW store. Yes it is more expensive than a regular store, but you have to buy a lot to make up for a taxi, delivery service or renting a car.

 

[bjenk10704]

Thanks Karen and others for the great information. Everyone hear is such great help. Please keep comments coming.

 

[dianeschlicht]

You could use We Go Shop for grocery delivery, or you could take a cab the the grocery store too.

 

[lovewdwdvc]

wegoshop on the internet is a good choice for grocery delivery they will go to whatever store(s) that you want for about a $15 delivery charge

you can also go to the DVC web site and order groceries to be placed in your villa. these are a little more expensive but very convenient

enjoy the trip

 

[Laurajean1014]

You can take a boat or bus to DTD.

You can take a bus to any of the parks.

You can take a bus to another WDW hotel from a park.

However, there is only two ways to get to Contemporary from OKW.

1. Take the ferry or bus to DTD (or from another park) and then get on the bus for the Contemporary.
2. Take a cab to the Contemporary (much faster).

Enjoy your trip and post, please.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I disagree that those are the only two ways to get to breakfast at the Contemporary. I would still take the bus to MK and monorail to Contemporary.