OKW recommended views for studio?

[Degli]

Myself, dd and ds will probably be booking a room at OKW for the last week in July. Which studios would be the best? We tend to like higher floors and something close to the pool and restaurants, shops, etc. This may be a dumb question, but do the OKW buildings have elevators? Is it not good to be close to one? Too noisy? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Only 3 buildings at OKW have elevators, and there is not need to ask to be close to it, since it is outside and flanked by stairways to the ground. Each of the buildings is only 3 floors, and some are 2 story. There are 4 pools, so not a problem to be near a pool. For a studio, I would request 3rd floor and near a pool. On a lower floor, you might be hemed in by tall vegetation. Studios are all on the corners of the buildings. There are no interior halls at OKW. These are vacation homes where you walk up from the parking lot outside each door. If you need an elevator for medical reasons, they will note that on your ressie. We have never had a problem with the stairs since there are no long halls, and only one studio and one 1 bedroom unit are on each floor of an area served by each stairway.

There is one restaurant at OKW (Olivias) plus a sandwich/snack bar at one of the pools. Dowtown Disney is nearby, and easily accessible by boat or a walking path. The path is the quickest way if you happen to be staying at the South Point area of the resort.
CLICK HERE for OKW info. There is a clickable map on this site as well.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I decided to put the map here for you.

I forgot to mention that most views are either golf course or water. The lower floors are often grown in with tall vegetation, but for some that is an issue and for others it is preferred.

 

[Degli]

If I want a high floor, should I request an elevator? My dh won't be with me to help carry the luggage up and I'll also have my 72yo mom and 2 small children. This could be hard for her, the steps and all. Are the buildings with elevators in good locations? Also, is it loud at night near the main pool area? I'm reading some reviews where people had to call the main desk to complain about noise at 4o in the morning. Thanks

 

[dianeschlicht]

We didn't hear any noise from the pool last August, and it was very hot then, so I am sure the pool was used a lot.

The buildings with elevators are 62, 63, and 64. We have stayed in 64. It was easy access to HH, but I didn't care for the view of the green so much, and there is not parking lot with that building. I worry that making your request so late will seriously limit getting the exact location you want. I personally don't think there are any truely bad views at OKW, except for some of the lower level studios being surrounded by tall vegetation. They usually ask for medical reasons if you request the elevator buildings. When we had it last August, it was because we had to use an elelctric ECV scooter.

 

[MiaSRN62]

My dh won't be with me to help carry the luggage up and I'll also have my 72yo mom and 2 small children. This could be hard for her, the steps and all.

You can have Bell Hop service take your bags up and down for you. But, if you're concerned about your mom navigating the stairs, you will probably want to make sure you request 1)an elevator bldg or 2)ground floor studio if the elevator bldgs aren't available. I agree with Diane in that the studio views from upper levels are much better but it sounds like they won't work for you unless you have elevator access due to your mother. Have a nice trip.

 

[Chuck S]

My Mom is 80, and we never stay in an elevator building. I always request 2nd floor. We've stayed on the 3rd floor before, and it is a little much for her, since she has had 3 hip surgeries. She does fine with a second floor room, though. If your mom is in good health, the stair probably won't be a problem, except for the luggage. If needed, you can always call bell services for help.

It also depends on whether you'll be driving and using your car during your stay. Ironically, the elevator buildings also seem to be the buildings with the most inconvenient parking spots.

The stairways ot OKW have a fairly gentle rise, and they have a half-flight, a landing, and a half-flight.

If you want to be close tot he restaurant, request to be near the "Hospitality House", that is the building that houses the front desk, and is adjacent to the restaurant, main pool, and a snack bar.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Here is a photo of the stair case for one of the buildings.

 

[pmcpmc]

Originally posted by dianeschlicht

I forgot to mention that most views are either golf course or water. The lower floors are often grown in with tall vegetation, but for some that is an issue and for others it is preferred. [/B]

I don't believe any of the studios have aview other than vegetation.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Originally posted by pmcpmc
I don't believe any of the studios have aview other than vegetation.

Yes, some of the upper floors are above the vegetation, but because the studios are on the corners of the buildings, there is plenty of vegetation there.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Someone who stayed in a studio on the first floor of Building 63 (#6310) said they had a "lovely view" but didn't specify what it was of.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Builiding 63 is one of the newer buildings, so the vegetation is not yet too grown up there. It is also one of the elevator buildings, and the view would be either golf green or fairway.

 

[Pa@okw95]

I wouldn't get to worked up with views when renting a studio, most of the views in studios are bad. They look out the front if the building which is usually toward some street and the porch which is very small is usually a very bad view with the plant growth. Like someone mentioned the stairs are not that bad, they are short steps with about 10 or so until you get to a landing then they reverse course a go another 10. The top floor is really not that high up, but if you really have issues with stairs then I would suggest you ask for a bottom floor because of medical reasons, do not just ask for elevator building there are only 3 and you may not get it.

 

[MiaSRN62]

most of the views in studios are bad. They look out the front if the building which is usually toward some street and the porch which is very small is usually a very bad view with the plant growth.

We once had a studio in bldg 43 which looked out over a small waterway with ducks and swans. I will admit the vegetation was thick but we could still see the pond. I can't speak for most of the studios as we've only been Members since '00 and have only actually stayed in 3 bldgs so far. Not more than 2 people can fit comfortably on the balcony---but the same goes for most of the DVC studios for the most part.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Since the studios are lock off portions of 2 bedroom units, the veiw is planned for the living room. That means the studio lock off will be back a bit farther, and thus not sticking out as far at the living room or main deck. That means it's view is limited to straight ahead and to one side of the little deck.