OKW studio advice

[hellerjw]

We just booked a "last minute" August trip in a studio at OKW. I say "last minute" since we usually book right at 9:00am on the day the 11 or 7 month window opens up.

We have never stayed at OKW and I'm looking for advice on what section to request, things to do, etc. We will have a car with us but we usually take the buses most places so I'm not really concerned about transportation. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[n2mm]

I've been researching this too. We have stayed in a 2bedroom before and liked it, but are thinking of a studio. One of my concerns would be the ice machine....I know, that sounds funny, but the idea that we would have to go so far to get ice is something on my mind. I'm guessing when we go, we will ask to be near a pool since the ice machines are located there, along with the laundry area. It's hard to make those maragritas without ice. We are thinking of going for 4 weeks next January (2012), so a good room would be important for that trip!

 

[hellerjw]

This will be our 8th DVC stay but our first time in a studio. I've gotten so used to having a full kitchen and washer/dryer I really don't know what to expect.

I had anticipated needing to be near a laundry area, especially in the humidity of August, but hadn't thought about the lack of ice, thanks for bringing that up.

Anyone else out there with some pearls of wisdom for us folks "slumming it" in OKW studios

 

[bobbiwoz]

Do you know that OKW studios have 2 Queen beds? All other studios have a queen bed and a pull out sofa. Only 3 OKW buildings have elevators, so if stairs are a problem, you may want to do what we do, request first floor or elevator building. We've only had 2 OKW stays during our membership of 6+ years, and we did get an elevator building each time. I don't need handicap A room, and I didn't get one, I got just exactly what I needed.

Because of the 2 bed situation, and we generally book a studio, I don't often want to stay at OKW. For 1 bedrooms and higher, staying there would be fine, it just hasn't happened that much for us.

Bobbi

 

[joandegennaro]

They have ice trays in the small fridge. 2 I believe.

As for pearls of wisdom...we had a car and therefore had the space. We took a small 4 shelf unit to store our snacks, coffee, food ect. Put it up against the connecting door to other unit. It was our first time at OKW and we didn't know how much space there is for this type of stuff. Very glad we took it. Made it very easy when the kids said "MOMMMM where is the...." I could easily direct them to the shelf unit.

 

[Chuck S]

They have ice trays in the small fridge. 2 I believe.

As for pearls of wisdom...we had a car and therefore had the space. We took a small 4 shelf unit to store our snacks, coffee, food ect. Put it up against the connecting door to other unit. It was our first time at OKW and we didn't know how much space there is for this type of stuff. Very glad we took it. Made it very easy when the kids said "MOMMMM where is the...." I could easily direct them to the shelf unit.

There are usually two trays, but they do not freeze quickly, if at all. If you need ice in a studio, I'd make a run to the ice machines. Ice machines are located by the pools in the laundry rooms, as well as in an alcove at the bus stops (except for Hospitality House stop.) The bus drivers often fill their ice water mugs at the OKW bus stops.

 

[rlovew]

The studios don't come with a blender for those thinking of making Margarittas.

 

[hellerjw]

Thanks to everyone for the advice. We are aware that the OKW studios have 2 queen beds instead of a queen and pull-out. We actually prefer this since we are used to dedicated 2BR units. Our main objective was to save points for use on other trips we are planning so OKW fit that bill nicely. I also like the idea of portable storage and may look into that future.

 

[n2mm]

The studios don't come with a blender for those thinking of making Margarittas.

None of the studios come with blenders, but you can request them as I've done that many times at different DVC resorts. However, I don't need one as I like my maragritas on the rocks, so I do bring something to shake them up in.

 

[n2mm]

Thanks to everyone for the advice. We are aware that the OKW studios have 2 queen beds instead of a queen and pull-out. We actually prefer this since we are used to dedicated 2BR units. Our main objective was to save points for use on other trips we are planning so OKW fit that bill nicely. I also like the idea of portable storage and may look into that future.

Me too, and do wish that some of the studios came with the sofa and Q bed for us couples who don't need that second bed. I've sort of stayed in a studio. When we rented a 2 bedroom I gave the king bed to my daughter since the babies like to sleep with her and dad and we took one of the Q beds in the second bedroom. It was a dedicated, so I assume the vanity is where the kitchnette would go. We'll have a car, so getting around not a big deal.

 

[spiceycat]

i like miller road and south point

as say the pools and bus stops (most of them) have an ice machine.

the only exception are the bus stops next to a pool - they don't.

 

[Steve_WDW_TRIP]

We love it there. It is to me, the most seasoned and family resort.

 

[Chuck S]

i like miller road and south point

as say the pools and bus stops (most of them) have an ice machine.

the only exception are the bus stops next to a pool - they don't.

I forgot about Miller's Road, haven't stayed in that area for a long time. You are correct, the Miller's Road bus stop and Hospitality House stop do not have ice. I think Peninsular Road, South Point and Old Turtle Pond stops have ice.

 

[spiceycat]

yea that is what I remember too.

the pools are little further from those places - so they put one in the bus stops as well.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Not having a washer/dryer in a studio is not a big problem. Since the laundry rooms are by the pools. We couple doing laundry with going to the pool.
The real downside to OKW studio's is that you don't have a couch to sit on. But you do get more space in the OKW studio.

 

[n2mm]

Not having a washer/dryer in a studio is not a big problem. Since the laundry rooms are by the pools. We couple doing laundry with going to the pool.
The real downside to OKW studio's is that you don't have a couch to sit on. But you do get more space in the OKW studio.

That's the negative I'm trying to deal with. This would be perfect if it had a sofa in some studios. Since we are thinking of an entire month (Jan. 2012) we really wanted the extra room, but really can't do a 1 bedroom for that long. I have time to think about it. Parking was a big issue for my DH so that's why he said no to BWV for that length of time. We are still toying with the AKV-standard studio also....hhmmm.

 

[spiceycat]

yea but you got a very nice balcony to sit out on....

 

[n2mm]

yea but you got a very nice balcony to sit out on....

We thought of that too, but it will be in January, so the weather can be fairly cool. We've never stayed in a studio at OKW only the 2 bedroom, and that balcony was unbelieveable -- we loved it.

 

[Belle & Ariel]

That's the negative I'm trying to deal with. This would be perfect if it had a sofa in some studios. Since we are thinking of an entire month (Jan. 2012) we really wanted the extra room, but really can't do a 1 bedroom for that long. I have time to think about it. Parking was a big issue for my DH so that's why he said no to BWV for that length of time. We are still toying with the AKV-standard studio also....hhmmm.

I would go with the standard at Kidani. The laundry room is near the lobby and parking is under the building.
I have not stayed at OKW and think it looks great, but the plan to do laundry while you are at the pool could be a problem if you get a cold snap.

 

[Bribrittmom]

I would try to get a value one bedroom at AKL Jambo.You'd have the washer dryer and a king bed.