OKW Requests

[Pollyann]

How and when do you make a request for a certain building or view? I have been able to obtain a Sept 23-30 1BR at OKW through II. This will be my first time at a DVC resort. I have heard that at OKW buildings 62-64 are good. I have definitly heard to request a #30 or higher building for the 1BR. Any other advice would be appreciated.

 

[Turk]

Hi --

Just got back from OKW (Building 64 -- it has an elevator if you need it -- most at OKW don't). I had a studio this trip, but the one bedrooms are great. Basically, you can make requests for areas, buildings, etc. when you make the reservation or anytime thereafter. With the member made reservations, we simply call member services and note our requests. You would probably have to do it through whovever gave you the reservation. Of course, requests are not guaranteed -- they will try to honor them, but you never know. I'm sure you have seen the OKW MAP before, but here it is.

Good Luck

Turk aw:

 

[ccw]

I like the Southpoint area. We were in a Grand Villa in Bldg. 49 in Nov. and it was fabulous! Very quiet, convenient to a quiet pool and bus stop, nice walk to SSR (spa) and DTD, and only about 5-7 minute walk to Hosp. House, etc. I have to mention, though, that we are DVC members at OKW and have NEVER gotten our preferred loation requests honored...but we still have always enjoyed our stays and this time we were GLAD they put us somewhere we did not think we wanted to be because we LOVED it...you just never know. Have fun!

 

[dianeschlicht]

As you have already been told, requests are generally made at the time we reserve, and are not guaranteed. Check with II and see how they do that part of the process. As for the "best" location.... That is all dependant to each persons preferences. In over 20+ stays at OKW, I rarely make a request other than non-smoking for medical reasons. I do have my favorite areas and buildings, but I have never been in a building I thought was not good in some way.

A lot of what you request will depend on the size unit, the number of folks traveling, and your preferences for view, location etc. If you are staying in a 1 bedroom and planning to have someone sleeping in the living room, then yes, you would want to request a building number 30 or higher, because it has an extra door to half of the bathroom via the laundry room. If it is essential that someone in your party can't negotiate a flight or two of stairs, then you would want to request an elevator building or a first floor unit, but be aware that ground floor units are often under Grand Villas and can be a bit noisey. My DH has bad knees, but even he thinks the stairs at OKW are very well done with gentle rises and are not an issue. No need to carry luggage, since you can have bell services do that for you. If you are one who likes a nice morning sunrise view or water view, you might request that type of thing, and there are plenty at OKW. The views are basically woods, water and golf course. I have actually only been in one building that had very little view, and that was building 29. It was very hemmed in with vegetation and very near a golf fairway (probably why it is hemmed in with vegetation). We never worry about being close to the Hospitality House, since the internal bus and ANY bus for that matter, stops there as it's last stop before leaving the resort. There are 3 other pools throughout the resort as well, and we actually prefer the South Point area. Generally, we say make 3 requests in order of preference. For most, smoking preference is the first request followed by location and view.

If you look at the map linked in the above post, you will see that the areas are listed by bus stop area. If I had to list my favorites, they would be buildings 55, 46, 21, and 13. I didn't care for 64 because it doesn't have its own parking lot. I also didn't care for buildng 29.

 

[Pollyann]

Thanks to all of you for your advice. Yes Turk I have seen a map but thanks for posting it. I referred to it while reading all of the posted replies. Now I can see the advantages of all of the areas in OKW. Thanks dianeschlicht for the advice on how to request (smoking preference being 1st) - that was an important point I forgot. Thanks ccw - I did not realize that DTD was within walking distance. We love DTD!