OKW Studio

[Aneille]

I will be staying at OKW for the first time in May.

I have never even been on the property before so I have no idea what to expect or what building to request.

It will be my husband and I and our 3 children (3 months, 2 yr, & 4 yr), so we will have a stroller. We will most likely not be renting a car.

Any suggestions for building requests?

Is their a link to a resort map anywhere so I can get a feel of the layout.

I am excited about staying there. We had some extra pts we needed to use so we are squeezing in 3 or 4 nights there in a studio and then over to the BW (1 bedroom) for 5 nights. It should be a fun trip.

 

[Susieab]

Here is a link that I use sometimes. I can't give much advice on what building but the map tells you about bus stops, etc. Remember that the laundry facilities are by the pools so you may want to stay close so you don't have to haul the clothes. We have stayed at Turtle Pond and South Pointe and really enjoyed both, but we really like being out the busy area.

http://www.kingdom-travel.com/Walt_...d_Key_West/Disney_Old_Key_West_Resort_Map.pdf

Susie

 

[Aneille]

Here is a link that I use sometimes. I can't give much advice on what building but the map tells you about bus stops, etc. Remember that the laundry facilities are by the pools so you may want to stay close so you don't have to haul the clothes. We have stayed at Turtle Pond and South Pointe and really enjoyed both, but we really like being out the busy area.

http://www.kingdom-travel.com/Walt_...d_Key_West/Disney_Old_Key_West_Resort_Map.pdf

Susie

Thanks Susie the map is exactly what I was looking for. We usually like busy, we love the BW but we may want to try some quiet this trip. More importantly I don't really want to be walking too far with the kids to get to the pool or bus stops.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Remember, there are only three buildings with elevators - 62. 63 and 64. None of the others have elevators. So if going up stairs will be a problem for you, you might request a ground floor studio. Only problem there is it might be handicapped accessible, so no tub, only a roll in shower.

That said, we love staying in the Turtle Pond area.

 

[WDWMom]

Turtle pond is great for kids. Stayed there a couple years ago. Bus stop right there, plus the TP pool. Turtle shack for snacks and laundry.

 

[dianeschlicht]

If you are young and can walk the stairs, I'd ask for an upper floor studio, since the first floor ones will be hemmed in with high vegetation. Proximaty to a bus stop would probably be the request I would make. I prefer South Point, since it is the second stop coming in, and you will be one of the earlier ones off the bus. Building 55 is our fav.

 

[byoung]

Stayed in building 14 in Dec. Loved the location.

 

[Aneille]

Thanks everyone for their thoughtful responses.

I think I am leaning towards Southpoint or Turtle Pond area but I have 2 more questions.

How long of a walk is it from either of those areas to main pool?

At the main pool can kids with lifejackets go down the slide?

I can't wait to stay there. We actually changed our ressie today and I will be now staying 6 nights there!

Thanks again, and I am sure wherever I get I will love it.

 

[Stitch1404]

I have a kind of specific question....are there two bathroom sinks in the studios? I saw a picture of the bathroom and it looked like there was only one sink. Was I just missing the other one? Also, do all studios have 2 queen beds, I have only stayed in 1 bedrooms before!

 

[Doctor P]

With small kids and strollers, the walk from either South Point or Turtle Pond will be "invigorating". If you like walking, the walk from either area is not overwhelming, but it is some distance. From the furthest point at South Point to the main pool is, IMHO, a somewhat easier walk than from the furthest point at Turtle Pond. I walk at a very good pace (not race walking, but most people would have trouble keeping up when I am walking) and the walk from the furthest point at Turtle Pond to the Hospitality House would be close to 15 minutes for me (which is a very comfortable walk for me). From the furthest point at Turtle Pond it would be 5-10 minutes further, I think (I have not actually walked that in one shot). OKW is a great resort in which to walk, but you might find it too much from those points if you don't really like walking. Your other option always is to take the internal resort shuttle or any theme park bus that stops at South Point or Turtle Pond and ride it up to the Hospitality House. That is quite easy and the bus service is quite good, IMHO.

 

[Doctor P]

Only one bathroom sink in the OKW studios, and it is actually in the bathroom as opposed to some of the other resorts where the vanity is separate from the toilet and shower.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

I'd reconsider that car. JMO.

 

[Aneille]

I'd reconsider that car. JMO.

I don't think we will get a car even though I hear how nice it is to have one at OKW. But we rented one the last 2 times and although we used it, it wasn't enough to justify the cost. And I don't like driving to the MK because it takes so much longer than taking the bus and getting dropped off right in front.

We are also going again in December and that is our big trip filled with ADR's and special thigns.. This trip we really don't have many plans and feel like spending more time at the resorts than in the parks.

We are also spending 4 nights at the BWV this trip so we will have easy access at that point to Epcot and MGM and will only need to bus it to AK and MK which we are used to doing. Although this time will be different since we will have 3 kids. Its kind of a practice run for December I guess!

The only thing I haven't checked into doing is having most of my family take the ME and having me or my DH get a smaller car to rent. We usually rent a van because of the luggage and kids but it is always at least $400 and I don't really want to spend that much on this trip.`

 

[Aneille]

With small kids and strollers, the walk from either South Point or Turtle Pond will be "invigorating". If you like walking, the walk from either area is not overwhelming, but it is some distance. From the furthest point at South Point to the main pool is, IMHO, a somewhat easier walk than from the furthest point at Turtle Pond. I walk at a very good pace (not race walking, but most people would have trouble keeping up when I am walking) and the walk from the furthest point at Turtle Pond to the Hospitality House would be close to 15 minutes for me (which is a very comfortable walk for me). From the furthest point at Turtle Pond it would be 5-10 minutes further, I think (I have not actually walked that in one shot). OKW is a great resort in which to walk, but you might find it too much from those points if you don't really like walking. Your other option always is to take the internal resort shuttle or any theme park bus that stops at South Point or Turtle Pond and ride it up to the Hospitality House. That is quite easy and the bus service is quite good, IMHO.

Thanks for the detailed response. We don't mind walking at all but my concern would be walking to main pool and the realizing I forgot sunblock or diapers or something and have to walk all the way back!

 

[Deb & Bill]

You can always hop on any bus to get back to the Hospitality House. And walk over to Peninsular Road bus stop (first one) and ride over to Turtle Pond or South Point. The DTD is also supposed to be the Internal Bus and is supposed to stop at the Hospitality House both first and last.

 

[SNOWHITE7]

Last year we stayed in a ground floor studio in building 62. I think it was 6231. This looked out over the lake and was just a couple of minutes walk from HH and the main pool. There was a lot of vegetation around the balcony but we could still see the lake and we also saw some rabbits most mornings which were cute.

 

[Aneille]

Thanks again everyone!

After saying I wouldn't rent a car I have one reserved now for part of my stay!

Only because after I posted I checked out the transpation board and found a pretty good deal that I couldn't pass up just yet. I am still on the fence about the car though. Bringing the car means I need to bring 3 carseats!

I don't like to rent them since they are 9.00 dollars a day and we are staying 10 days!

Kim

 

[Doctor P]

Thanks again everyone!

After saying I wouldn't rent a car I have one reserved now for part of my stay!

Only because after I posted I checked out the transpation board and found a pretty good deal that I couldn't pass up just yet. I am still on the fence about the car though. Bringing the car means I need to bring 3 carseats!

I don't like to rent them since they are 9.00 dollars a day and we are staying 10 days!

Kim

Please take this in the spirit intended (humor): I think you only need car seats if the kids are actually in the car. So get plenty of rope and tie that stroller up to the back bumper and pull the kids down the road to wherever you want to go--guarantee it will be an experience they won't forget (and you won't either after you get out of jail for endangering them, LOL) and you won't have to worry about car seats !!!

 

[MiaSRN62]

and the walk from the furthest point at Turtle Pond to the Hospitality House would be close to 15 minutes for me (which is a very comfortable walk for me). From the furthest point at Turtle Pond it would be 5-10 minutes further, I think (I have not actually walked that in one shot). OKW is a great resort in which to walk,

We stayed in bldg 45 this past August and walked every day to the main pool----clocked it at around 4-5 min. Stayed in bldg 43 in 2002 and it was def longer.....maybe 7-8 min (I've never stayed further than 43 from HH/main pool). Stayed in bldg 62 in '04 and it was about 30 seconds...
So bldg 43 is the furthest if that gives you any kind of reference point.

After saying I wouldn't rent a car I have one reserved now for part of my stay!

I still don't think it's necessary, but you know your preferences and family needs better. Your children are very young.
I even had an approx 6-7 min walk to the main BWV pool when I stayed there. Same with alot of wdw resorts I've stayed at (in reference to the main pools). We had a very long walk to pool when we stayed at POR and even POP. Good luck and have a great time at OKW