OKW-- stranded without car?

[1833]

We just made our first reservations as new members for November. Although we were happy we managed to secure a one bedroom and a studio (we're bringing my parents) we couldn't get our home resort (VWL). We'll be staying at OKW. I've never been there before and although there's been many positive reports I'm a little concerned about getting around. We weren't planning on renting a van, one of the big sllers for us to buy at disney as to use the provided transportation. BUt i do have a one and three year old, who will need to go back mid-day for naps.

I'm also concerned about access to different places for dinner. We'll probably be eating breakfast in the units, lunch at the parks, but do like to eat dinner out (my parents are quite the foodies). Other than Olivia's are there any easily accessible dinner places? Can you easily get to DD? If you take the bus to Epcot is it a manageable walk to either the Boardwalk, or Epcot resort resturants?

SHould we really look into renting a car?


Thanks.

 

[LisaR]

How are you getting from the airport to OKW? How much is that costing for everyone in the group? I find car rentals for a week are not that much more then transportation to and from the airport. I think the most we have ever paid for a miniva rental is $229 and $199 is usually pretty easy to find. We always rent a car no matter where we stay. Everyone has their own opinions about this and this is just what we prefer. If we didn't have kids, I would probably use Disney transportation more. However, we don't like waiting in lines for busses, boats, etc. with tired kids at the end of the day. We like leaving when we are ready not when the bus arrives. We like having our kids own booster seats in a vehicle and having them strapped in (which they aren't on Disney transportation). We like being able to go off Disney property to eat whenever we want. With kids, we always need to make more then one run to the grocery store. One stop that the transportation companies provide is never enough for us. I also always hated waiting on checkout day for the airport transportation to arrive. While it always did, there is that stress of "what if they don't show and we miss our plane." I've read about it happening to others. Good luck with your decision.

Lisa

 

[Sbacer]

We were at OKW earlier this summer for the first time and Loved it. I can tell you that it was real pleasure ( I thought) to just relax and take a short boat ride to DTD! Some of the other places were more challenging. We used all the transportation at WDW. Just plan ahead for your little one's as they tend to not have a lot of patience. (at least my grandchildren do not) and you should be fine. Mine are just a little older, Enjoy your trip!

Sandy

 

[colleen costello]

You can also request a room close to a bus stop. We love the Turtle Pond area, and the bus stop is often just steps from our room. You can easily get a bus to the Magic Kingdom, and from there it is a short walk to the monorail which gives you access to Contemporary, Poly and Grand Floridian and all their wonderful restaurants. A nice boat ride takes you to the Wilderness Lodge, and there will even be buses to all the other resorts. OKW is NOT "no man's land!" You may be glad you got "stuck" there!

 

[Chuck S]

OKW is connected to DD by boat transport and bus (boats do not run in bad weather). We have stayed with and without a car at OKW. While I prefer a car, it is most certainly do-able using Disney transport. Especially if you concentrate on the DD restaurants. Resort to Resort travel is never great, no matter where you stay, so if you do decide to go to other resorts for dining, allow plenty of travel time.

But I also agree with Lisa, the cost difference between airport shuttles for a large group and renting a car is often minimal.

 

[PADVCmember@OKW]

We were at OKW last October during the Funai Golf Classic. That was our first trip there WITHOUT a car. We found that we just had to allow a bit more time to travel.

We will be at OKW again this October. However, we plan to have a car this year.

 

[disney queen]

in all the trips to wdw, we have never had a car and never had a problem getting around. OKW is one of our home resorts and as stated earlier it just takes a little planning. we always use tiffany towncars to get to/from the airport.

 

[PamOKW]

Renting a car always makes resort-to-resort travel easier. However, I don't think you'll find staying at OKW any more difficult to get around WDW than you would staying at VWL without a car. Bus service is actually quicker to Epcot, DD and MGM. You can also have the back up of a cab if you want to do something like head over to BW for the evening or for a meal.

 

[1833]

Thanks for the good words. The cost between renting the van and car service is about 160. I'm more concerned about the convenience of renting a car --given we will be lugging 2 kids who are extremely active & all of our luggage... (My parents come in town the next day, so can't lend a hand) Will getting a rent a car, finding our way from the airport, and parking be a lot of trouble? One of the big sells for my husband on buying DVC was the convenience of in- park transportation. Once we got there, we wouldn't have to drive (we live in washignton dc a very high traffic city).


I'm feeling much better about the situation--after reading the posts I think either choice should work out fine!

 

[Candace]

I did OKW for years without a car. If you are dining at another resort instead of a park or DTD, just remember to allow yourself an hour to reach your desitination. (just to be on the safe side). It may not take that long, but depending on the time of year, it could. Bus transportation from OKW to anywhere is really good usually, and I love the boat ride to DTD.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

Originally posted by 1833
We just made our first reservations as new members for November. Although we were happy we managed to secure a one bedroom and a studio (we're bringing my parents)

Were all the two bedroom units taken? You're using more points doing what you're doing.

 

[tdrcDVC]

OKW is my home resort. You may find it very convient to rent a smaller car for your immediate family. You can actually make the trip the next day to pick up your parent.
It will probably cost less than a van or taxi, than you can have it to run to shopping or eat off-site(Bob Evans is my families favorite). But when we go to the parks or DTD we always use the transportation, the Boats, Buses, Trams etc. are part of the fun and the kids actually love it and find it fun to look around or grab a brief nap.

 

[Pa@okw95]

The bus service during the day is cut back at OKW. We only spend a couple of hours at the parks and like to go back after having lunch somehwere. The bus service is at its worse during that time period. On the other hand if you do not know your way around and where to park the car then having one may not be such an advantage. A car for MK is really no advantage, but for the other parks it is a big help especially AK where the bus trip can be an excursion to say the least. I don't use the bus service except to MK myself but others will tell you it is not so bad.

 

[Dean]

While I think OKW is doable without a car, I would personally never stay at OKW unless I had one. I also agree with renting a smaller car that is less expensive and making the extra trip to pick up the rest of your party. That should be roughly the same cost as the shuttle/towncar service overall. If you get a midsize, you may be able to get the entire family in for the return trip. However, I think making two trips on departure day is a very small price for having the vehicle for the rest of your trip. You'll save more time on one resort to resort trip or grocery store excursion than you'll every spend extra with the car in your situation. Good luck and enjoy.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I think WDW bus transportation to the parks from OKW is excellent. In fact, I found it to be much worse at WL than OKW. That being said, if you are traveling to the other resorts for dinner etc (Poly or WL) in the evening after parks are closed, then the trip can be laboreous and long because of the need to travel through DTD.

I too wondered why you were not staying in a 2 bedroom. It would be cheaper than a one bedroom and studio. We love the 2 bedrooms at OKW! Also, don't pack so much. The in room washer and dryer are wonderful for keeping packing to a minimum. Take about 3 changes of clothes for each person and throw a load in the washer when you head out in the morning. Throw them in the dryer when you come back for the midday nap, and it's done.

 

[Pluto4Pres]

I have always had a car on my trips to OKW. Sometimes the car will sit unused for a couple of days and I'll wonder if it was worth it. But I think the convenience of being able to resort hop or go for groceries or other items makes it worthwhile. The cost is difference is probably even smaller than you've figured, especially if you plan on making some meals in your unit. Go out past Goodings to Publix or WalMart for groceries and you'll save a bundle there. Getting to and from the Airport is a snap, it's very well marked. You can get by OK without a car, it can be done, but my recommendation would be to get one.

 

[joepoe]

I agree with everything below. Excellent analysis. While we love the convenience of Disney transportation, and always take it to the parks (except AK) we have been getting a van each time lately, whether we stay at OKW or BWV. We like going off site more these days. And the airport transportation hassle and cost helps make the decision for us.

Originally posted by LisaR
How are you getting from the airport to OKW? How much is that costing for everyone in the group? I find car rentals for a week are not that much more then transportation to and from the airport. I think the most we have ever paid for a miniva rental is $229 and $199 is usually pretty easy to find. We always rent a car no matter where we stay. Everyone has their own opinions about this and this is just what we prefer. If we didn't have kids, I would probably use Disney transportation more. However, we don't like waiting in lines for busses, boats, etc. with tired kids at the end of the day. We like leaving when we are ready not when the bus arrives. We like having our kids own booster seats in a vehicle and having them strapped in (which they aren't on Disney transportation). We like being able to go off Disney property to eat whenever we want. With kids, we always need to make more then one run to the grocery store. One stop that the transportation companies provide is never enough for us. I also always hated waiting on checkout day for the airport transportation to arrive. While it always did, there is that stress of "what if they don't show and we miss our plane." I've read about it happening to others. Good luck with your decision.

Lisa

 

[bray]

We stayed OKW in June for one week. Our family includes DH, DD who is now 8 years old, and myself. Since we drove from TX, we had our car. However, we only used it the first night when we went to the grocery store.

We have stayed at OKW June 04 one week, WL June 03 one week, Carribbean Beach June 01 one week, Port Orleans March 00 one week, Dixie Landings March 99 one week. We have always used Disney transportation and had no problems. In 2000, I was concerned about my 73 year old MIL being able to navigate her way back to the resort for mid day rests. She did GREAT and didn't want any assistance from any of us. She had not been to anything like WDW with the exception of Disney Land in the early 60's!

Although some of the CM say to allow an hour for some transportation options, we never found it took that long. The slowest was taking the bus from OKW to the Boardwalk. We actually should have exited the bus at one of the first resort stops and then walked. A faster option would have been take the bus to Epcot, walk to the exit to BC, and then to BW.

Good luck!

 

[joepoe]

Getting a rental car at MCO is pretty easy. Sometimes the lines can be long at the counter, though. We have sometimes waited a half hour to 45 minutes in the rental line. Once that hassle is finished, though, it is a piece of cake. And it is fun and easy to navigate to the World. I am not saying a rental is a must, but it can really be convenient to have one.

Originally posted by 1833
Thanks for the good words. The cost between renting the van and car service is about 160. I'm more concerned about the convenience of renting a car --given we will be lugging 2 kids who are extremely active & all of our luggage... (My parents come in town the next day, so can't lend a hand) Will getting a rent a car, finding our way from the airport, and parking be a lot of trouble? One of the big sells for my husband on buying DVC was the convenience of in- park transportation. Once we got there, we wouldn't have to drive (we live in washignton dc a very high traffic city).


I'm feeling much better about the situation--after reading the posts I think either choice should work out fine!

 

[1833]

Thanks again!

There were no 2 bedrooms available. The MS person was great, and after being on hold quite some time she managed to scare this option up.