pistonfan32
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2005
- Messages
- 265
Just back from our short trip to OKW. Included in our trip was my DW, DS (almost 6), and out-of-town friends with three kids (3, 5, 8). We had a 2 bedroom villa.
Background: We have been DVC owners since September 2005. We have stayed at OKW twice (1/06 and 1/07) and Disneyland's Grand Californian (7/06). We really enjoy the laid back atmosphere of OKW. We like the private entrances instead of hotel-like entrances. We love the size of the villas.
Saturday: Flew in early in the morning. Used DME and only waited 5 minutes to leave the airport. We were one of the last families on the bus so I do not know how long others had been waiting. We arrived at OKW at 11:30am. Our unit was ready by 1pm. We requested buildings 18, 19 or 20 in the Miller Road area but nothing was available. We were offered a first floor villa building 28 near the Peninsular bus stop and we took it. We really liked this location. It is the first stop on the way back from the parks. You can also make the short walk to the HH bus stop which is the last stop on the way out of OKW. We left around 1:30pm to Hollywood Studios and spent the rest of the day there. The park was not overwhelmingly busy. Only about 65 degrees.
After the park, we went to Winn Dixie to buy groceries. Our plan was to eat all of our breakfasts and dinners in the villa. We also made sandwiches for lunch. We did this to save money (and a lot of it) and we also knew there was no way we would get the kids to sit down for meals for very long.
Sunday-We spent the day at Animal Kingdom. The park was very busy. We also heard that the other parks were also very busy. Chilly day--not even 60. Wore shorts and a sweatshirt. I was comfortable until I got off Expedition Everest at 5:30pm and we were pretty cold.
Monday-Spent the day at Magic Kingdom. Average crowd size. Fantasyland seemed to be the busiest. That evening, my friend and I went downtown for the Pistons-Magic basketball game. That was a lot of fun and a good break from the kids. Back to OKW at 4pm and went swimming. The air temperature was around 70 but the pool was 80+.
Tuesday-Went to MK again. The weather was great--probably around 75. Back around 2pm to rest and then swim. Crowds were very manageable.
Wednesday-Had breakfast at Olivia's. Picked up at 9:20am for our 12:40pm flight. We thought that was too early but it really wasn't. DME would not pick us up any later. We stopped at SSR and then the airport. We made it to the airport around 10:15am. By the time we made it thru security, it was close to 11am or a little later. Time to grab a bite to eat and not be rushed. Easy flight home to 18 degree weather.
Villa-We were in room 2812. The 2 bedroom unit was huge. Our friends were amazed by the size. There were some minor problems. Missing the top of the broiler pan. No extra trash can liners. The unit was clean with one exception. The last day, I noticed what appeared to be mold on the ceiling of the shower in the master bath. My wife also found a cockroach in the master bath last night. That could happen anywhere in Florida so I am not blaming that on OKW. Our luggage is in our garage right now to freeze any cockroaches that may have flown home with us.
Conclusion-We loved our trip but having 4 kids when only 1 was ours was hectic at times. We could have used a couple more days to relax a bit. Get to the parks by 9am to get on your favorite rides before 11am when the crowds build up. We have stayed at OKW three times and no other DW DVC property yet. I think we may try another property next time just to try something different.
I did not get very specific about the parks, so if you have questions, I would be happy to answer them.
Background: We have been DVC owners since September 2005. We have stayed at OKW twice (1/06 and 1/07) and Disneyland's Grand Californian (7/06). We really enjoy the laid back atmosphere of OKW. We like the private entrances instead of hotel-like entrances. We love the size of the villas.
Saturday: Flew in early in the morning. Used DME and only waited 5 minutes to leave the airport. We were one of the last families on the bus so I do not know how long others had been waiting. We arrived at OKW at 11:30am. Our unit was ready by 1pm. We requested buildings 18, 19 or 20 in the Miller Road area but nothing was available. We were offered a first floor villa building 28 near the Peninsular bus stop and we took it. We really liked this location. It is the first stop on the way back from the parks. You can also make the short walk to the HH bus stop which is the last stop on the way out of OKW. We left around 1:30pm to Hollywood Studios and spent the rest of the day there. The park was not overwhelmingly busy. Only about 65 degrees.
After the park, we went to Winn Dixie to buy groceries. Our plan was to eat all of our breakfasts and dinners in the villa. We also made sandwiches for lunch. We did this to save money (and a lot of it) and we also knew there was no way we would get the kids to sit down for meals for very long.
Sunday-We spent the day at Animal Kingdom. The park was very busy. We also heard that the other parks were also very busy. Chilly day--not even 60. Wore shorts and a sweatshirt. I was comfortable until I got off Expedition Everest at 5:30pm and we were pretty cold.
Monday-Spent the day at Magic Kingdom. Average crowd size. Fantasyland seemed to be the busiest. That evening, my friend and I went downtown for the Pistons-Magic basketball game. That was a lot of fun and a good break from the kids. Back to OKW at 4pm and went swimming. The air temperature was around 70 but the pool was 80+.
Tuesday-Went to MK again. The weather was great--probably around 75. Back around 2pm to rest and then swim. Crowds were very manageable.
Wednesday-Had breakfast at Olivia's. Picked up at 9:20am for our 12:40pm flight. We thought that was too early but it really wasn't. DME would not pick us up any later. We stopped at SSR and then the airport. We made it to the airport around 10:15am. By the time we made it thru security, it was close to 11am or a little later. Time to grab a bite to eat and not be rushed. Easy flight home to 18 degree weather.
Villa-We were in room 2812. The 2 bedroom unit was huge. Our friends were amazed by the size. There were some minor problems. Missing the top of the broiler pan. No extra trash can liners. The unit was clean with one exception. The last day, I noticed what appeared to be mold on the ceiling of the shower in the master bath. My wife also found a cockroach in the master bath last night. That could happen anywhere in Florida so I am not blaming that on OKW. Our luggage is in our garage right now to freeze any cockroaches that may have flown home with us.
Conclusion-We loved our trip but having 4 kids when only 1 was ours was hectic at times. We could have used a couple more days to relax a bit. Get to the parks by 9am to get on your favorite rides before 11am when the crowds build up. We have stayed at OKW three times and no other DW DVC property yet. I think we may try another property next time just to try something different.
I did not get very specific about the parks, so if you have questions, I would be happy to answer them.
