OKW suggestions for 1st tme stay

[DJmommy]

Next month I am planning on changing our reservation to OKW 1 BR at the 7 month mark for our August trip.

I was thinking about trying for HH buildings (I know that is a specific booking category) if they are available. Would this be the best way to enjoy OKW for our first stay there?

My kids are 11 and 7 and love pool time. I think for the most part, they would want to enjoy the pool slide so I am assuming that the HH buildings would be the best bet to be close to the main pool.

I am assuming that the community center is right in the same area as well, and we do like to partake in activities and stay out of the heat or rain that the afternoon brings.

How do the buses run with their stops? For the most part we will be driving to the parks except for the MK which we never drive to. Is the self parking really that convenient? We stayed at Kidani in November and loved the underground parking.

How are the views in the HH buildings? We plan on doing a lot of relaxing next summer and spending a lot of time around the resort and less time in the parks, which is why we thought OKW would be the perfect resort for this type of vacation.

If anyone can give me their pros and cons to booking the HH buildings versus maybe one of the quieter areas at OKW I would really appreciate it.

TIA
Jacqueline

 

[Cee]

I can't help with everything, but I can tell you that there is a Turtle Pond section which also has a very nice pool and snack bar. It's further removed from the main area but the walk is very nice and there is an internal bus that can take you from the Turtle Pond section to the main HH section. Also, Turtle Pond is closer to the walkway that will take you along the river to SSR and DTD.

Have a wonderful time! You will love this gorgeous resort.

 

[dianeschlicht]

If you book HH category, you will NOT have access to the master bathroom for the kids in the living room unless they come through the master bedroom. For that reason alone, I would ask for buildings 30 or above where there is an extra door into the bathroom without disturbing the master bedroom sleepers.

 

[POLLY ANN]

I didn't even think of that, Diane!

We've been OKW members since 95 and always get a 2BR and always request to be near HH. My kids are 13, 12, and 9 and they love to go to the main pool and slide, the sand, activities at the Community Hall, etc.
Our last trip at Christmas, 2009, we were so far from the HH!! I wanted to save my walking for the parks (was rehabilitating from a broken leg), so it was disappointing that we didn't get what we wanted. But, it was Christmas, the busiest time of the year, so I didn't stress about it. Plus the weather was iffy, so we didn't spend too much time at the pool, anyway.
The views are fabulous if you are on the 2nd floor along the golf course. In some of our stays near the HH on the first floor, the views have been obstructed by trees. I want to say Bldg 11, but I can't remember, and don't have a resort map handy!

You will love the laid back feel of OKW, it is my favorite resort of all.
Enjoy your stay!

 

[a742246]

Definately stay at the HH section.
August will be hot, you have 2 children with you, the pool at the HH area is a perfect size for your youngsters. The boat ride to DTD they will love (especially for that evening ice cream).
Enjoy your trip!

 

[windi622]

We have always stayed in the HH section when we stayed at OKW. With nothing to compare it to...we love it! It seems so convenient to the pool, Olivias and boat to DTD. We also love that we could walk to the HH bus stop (which is convenient), and swing by Goods (the QS) to fill our mugs with pop/coffee/tea on our way to the parks. I know, we're so naughty, bringing drinks on the busses! I don't know that you can go wrong anywhere at this beautiful resort!

Don't miss the shuffleboard! It is near the pool. My family had never played before, and now it's become a tradition when we are at OKW. Nothing like a little friendly competition with a few dollars on the line!

 

[henderkm]

We stayed at OKW for the first time a week ago. We were in a 1 BR, building 18, near HH. We stayed on the second floor and overlooked the golf course.

We did not have a car, but if we had, parking would have been right outside our door. We never had to wait more than 15 minutes for a bus inside the resort and I believe I heard the bus driver say there are 5 stops inside the resort.

Having access to the bathroom was sometimes an issue, especially in the middle of the night. We all took showers because the only door to the bathroom is where the shower and toilet are located. To have privacy taking a bath, we would have had to close the master bedroom door.

In all, we loved the resort and the laid-back lifestyle and hope to return.

Have a great trip!

 

[DJmommy]

Thank you for all your replies. We will definitely request the top floor for a better view. We will deal with the bathroom issue to have the convenience of being close to all the main things at the resort. Besides, once my kids crash at Disney, they usually don't get up til morning.

I'm really looking forward to staying at OKW for a laid back vacation.

One more question, how does the bus loop run? Is the HH stop the 1st or last stop on the route to and from the parks?

 

[RobDoc]

...One more question, how does the bus loop run? Is the HH stop the 1st or last stop on the route to and from the parks?

Except for the bus returning from DD, the first stop is Peninsular Road and HH is the last stop. In that situation, I'd get off at Peninsular and walk across the bridge to get to your building. Of course, you could also be in Buildings 23-26 where Peninsular Road would be the closest stop to your building.

Enjoy!

 

[rice00]

OKW is great! The 1 or 2-bedrooms are by far the biggest of any DVC resort. We always request one of the buildings across the bridge from Turtle Krawl, buildings 23-29. I can't remember which ones are non-smoking though. It is a very easy walk to Turtle Krawl, the main pool area.

We usually get a car here because it is so easy to park. You will probably park right in front of your building. The parking is easier than Kidani Village.

 

[katmittens]

We have always stayed in the HH area, except for one trip when we stayed in Bldg. 54. It was OK in that area, but we like the HH area much better. We like bldgs. 12 and 13 and 24 and 25. Oh I forgot once we stayed in bldg 15 for one nite and also in bldg 62 and 64 which have elevators. I really like those building for the convenience to the HH area, but having the elevator when you are on the top floor which we request. Have a great time you will love OKW.

 

[dianeschlicht]

OKW is great! The 1 or 2-bedrooms are by far the biggest of any DVC resort. We always request one of the buildings across the bridge from Turtle Krawl, buildings 23-29. I can't remember which ones are non-smoking though. It is a very easy walk to Turtle Krawl, the main pool area.

We usually get a car here because it is so easy to park. You will probably park right in front of your building. The parking is easier than Kidani Village.

Obviously you haven't gotten the message yet that all of WDW resorts went non smoking years ago!!! There is currently smoking only allowed in specific smoking areas OUTSIDE each building. The marked smoking areas are marked on the attached map.

The buildings in that 23-26 area are part of the special HH booking category, but buildings 27-29 are not, so if you can't get HH when you call, you CAN request those buildings. By the same token, buildings 62-64 are close, but not in HH category, as are buildings 15-18,