OKW The good and the bad

[ollie]

Hello folks, ( MODS this thread is about DVC honest! But I know the DVC owners will know the answers to my other questions)just starting to plan our first visit home in Oct/Nov and so far we have; first night at a hotel at MCO any suggestions? We are on VS073, the later flight out of MAN. and don't see the point in checking into RPR so late at night ( am I right?) Next AM, pick up by *********** to RPR for 4 nights - any suggestions on deals as I am ready to book? Then *********** to OKW for 7 nights via a quick supermarket stop-off. We have no car so can you suggest how I would make my first ressie with DVC we want a quiet STUDIO room, nice view, non smoking and handy for transport (boats and buses.) Whats the travelling time to the parks (we have stayed at Wyndham Palace and Grosvenor and their buses we pretty quick getting you to Mk AK etc.) Then taxi to BWV for 8 nights (our home) any suggestions on similar requirements rooms wise, whats with the prefered/ standard views (is it worth the extra points?) Many Thanks. Must do a countdown, Will put it on my list of to do's. (I said Do's ) Ian

 

[Pootle]

Hello Ian

I often do as you suggest and stay a night at an airport hotel, often because I've arrived late on an internal flight having been somewhere else in the US before

My starting point for airport accommodation are the following sites:

www.hilton.com
www.marriott.com
www.ichotelsgroup.com

The closest area is the TG Lee Boulevard/Augusta National Drive - about 1.5 miles from the airport and all of the chains are well represented there. Most of these hotels offer comp. airport shuttles. Many offer a free continental style buffet too.

The Hilton group includes its budget Hampton Inn chain as well as pricier options such as Embassy Suites (they offer a full American cooked-to-order breakfast) and Hilton itself.

Marriott's budget end is Fairfield (I've had rooms at the airport one for as little as $59 per night last year) and also Courtyard.

Ichotels is the Holiday Inn/Crowne Plaza chain.

OKW is my main 'home' (although I do have VB and BWV points too ) and I'd decide what are the most important things to you when making your requests. For instance, I like quiet too, so I normally request non-smoking and South Point area and leave it at that - but you couldn't get any further away from the boats or Hospitality House.

Popular requests are: Close to Hospitality House (ie near main pool, boats to DD and buses) or water view. I'd say that no rooms were that far from a bus stop and I'm no walker . I personally like the Boardwalk View at BWV and think that is worth the extra points but I doubt I'd consider any other view worth it. That view was why I bought in the first place - want it guaranteed

Transport to the parks is as you would expect, given that you have stayed in the DD area previously. I use the buses quite a bit for the parks and have always found them to be pretty good.

Why are you getting a taxi to BWV? You could let Disney take your luggage for you (it's free) and then go yourself on Disney transport. eg bus or boat to DD and transfer to a BWV bus.

If there's anything I've missed, just ask again.

 

[ollie]

Hi Moira, thanks for writing. So, I just tell the bell hops at OKW that we are moving onto BWV. Thanks, will do! We are members of Hilton Honors so we thought about staying at the Hilton at the Airport (any reviews anyone?) I think you are right about the Boardwalk views, but on that note I would not mind looking out over the Swan, you know, with the MGM boats passing below you. Are these rooms std. or pref? Ian

 

[Pootle]

Yup, just tell them at OKW that you are moving to BWV and they will do the rest (tips expected of course ).

We too are members of HHonors and I've used the Hilton's Hampton Inn and Embassy Suites at the airport, and especially like the latter. If you've never stayed in one, main bedroom has one king or 2 doubles, bathroom and coffee making facilities in middle and a living room with second TV at the other end - sofa converts to a bed also. The area where you have the full American breakfast is pleasant with a little fountain in the middle.

Sorry I've little knowledge of standard rooms at BWV - apart from there's not a lot of them and they are very popular - but I'm sure someone will be along soon who has I'll be at OKW myself in early November

 

[ollie]

Hello again Moira, we will be at OKW from 24th Oct to 30th Oct and then on to BWV until 8th Nov. We are waiting for our contract to be "closed" by Disney should be any day now! Do you think we will be ok getting into BWV at this short notice? I think we should be ok for OKW at the seven month mark (please tell me I'm right). Ian

 

[KayleeUK]

This is the Food and Wine Festival time and I know the Epcot resorts are very busy, I am trying to swap from BWV to BCV at the 7 month mark for the same time period. Fingers crossed for us both.

 

[ollie]

Kaylee, I'm starting to panic now!! Come on someone reassure us

 

[StephenKay]

Hi there,

I have stayed at OKW a few times now and last time we stayed in a studio number 2020. At first I was a bit dubious, but it turned out great. In Bldg 20 near a quiet pool, fantastic view of the HH and near, 100 yards, bus stop.

It's on the second floor overlooking water and a golf green.

 

[ollie]

Sounds great, thanks. I'll dig out the OKW map and mark it off. Anyone hired bikes or boats and any info? Ian

 

[Hilary]

Sounds great, thanks. I'll dig out the OKW map and mark it off. Anyone hired bikes or boats and any info? Ian

We hired a small pontoon boat once. Good fun, but be aware that the 'no wake' ruling means it takes a while to get anywhere. We hired ours for an hour, but managed to only just get past the OKW boundary before having to turn back to return in time!